“ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

December 25, 2020 – Friday – Christmas morning
7 degrees/cloudy/snow flurries
Pentoga Road

This is my most favorite morning of the year,
the time when I sit alone in the dark by the fire, sipping coffee, computer on my lap while completely lost in my thoughts. 

It's a day where I allow myself to step back in time, thinking of Christmases as a child, when Mom and Dad made each Christmas the most special day of the year. 

To when my sons were young and keeping them in bed past midnight was a chore as they were so excited to see what Santa had left. 

Of more modern days, when Sargie, Mom, and I, had some very special Christmas mornings. Mama, in her senior years, would sit in eager anticipation, much like a child, on the edge of her chair as we were unwrapping presents, waiting for the next with her name to be passed to her. 

It's true.

Young children and seniors have much in
common. The miracle of Christmas morning is no exception. 

Sargie and I have been blessed this past year. While many others have struggled with the virus or suffered from loneliness, we've been fortunate to have evaded both. 

You see, we have each other. 

Oh, every day's not all giggles for us by any means, but our days end by saying to each other, "I love you. Thank you for all you do." The joys of our  Christmas on Pentoga Road travel far beyond December's reach.  

We spent two glorious weeks last spring with Mississippi Brother Garry and Miss Jody. We had so much fun and it was hard to say goodbye when we left. Garry and I have written morning emails to each other that span four decades. He knows me better than any other person in the entire world and in some cases, better than Sargie. God could bless no man with a better older brother. 

A week was spent with Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri in Texas and again, we could ask for no better friends. As I said, for Sargie and me, Christmas is more than just a day, it's a lifestyle and we are truly blessed.

The garden, pond, garden house, and all, are continuing projects. Other than the cupola, the exterior of the garden house is finished, at least for now. The last I knew, Sargie Pants thought a covered front porch would make a nice addition. That may or may not make it out of committee for a full Pentoga Road vote.

We painted both the house and the garden house this past summer. That, in addition to some major landscaping in front of the garden, made our abode on Pentoga Road look much different (and hopefully better.)

Sargie and I made a swing through Illinois and Iowa this past fall, visiting Mom and Dad, and both sets of my grand and great grandparents. I had a nice visit with all and though they've departed, their love surrounds me each and every day. I'm looking forward to seeing not only them, but Sargie's parents and others someday.

I'm entering the final year of preparation for 2022's thru hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail. It seems like everything I do revolves in some way around the trail, but when one leaves everything he knows for six months of hard, physical, challenges and living out of a backpack, a year hardly seems like any time at all to prepare. From the big three, the tent, backpack, and quilt/sleeping bag, to learning and posting digital communication, it's been and will continue to be a challenge. No doubt, this coming year will fly by and it won't be long before my trail boss, Scotty, will be taking me to Amicalola Falls in northern Georgia to begin my lifelong dream of hiking north for 2,200 miles. 

The physical challenge aside, being apart from my Sargie will be the most difficult. Thankfully, she'll visit me along the trail several times and friends and relatives have come forward and offered to assist our brief meetings during the journey, but it's going to be tough to be apart for six months. Sargie's come fully onboard with my lifelong dream and has even suggested we watch hiking videos together. I've asked her a hundred or million times if she won't come and hike with me. The girl just smiles and assures me she'll hike "from afar."

Hambone spent quite a bit of time with us this past year. I've had others comment how much we do for him, but honestly, he's salve for my soul. Most all parents suffers from "if I could do it over again's" when they look back on their younger parenting years. Hambone allows me to put thought into practice. Oh expectations are just as high with him as they were with my sons, but in my senior years, those expectations are sprinkled with a bit more patience and understanding.  

The Pennington boys are doing great. Josh retired as a Commander in the Coast Guard and now works as a civilian for the USCG. Luke is Captain at the South Portland, Maine, Fire Department. Matt is a partner in a material brokerage firm in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Andy is an advisor and works aboard large boats tending floating oil rigs. Last year, he worked off the coast of Africa and later, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Australia. Rumor has it that he's bound for Norway after the first of the year.

Sargie's sons are no less busy. Cale lives in Oconto, WI, and has a route delivering cleaned dry goods, uniforms, towels, etc. throughout northern Wisconsin and the UP. Shea works at a boat factory doing finish work on very expensive, often million dollar yachts. Macrea is Regional Manager over all the Flagstar Banks in this part of the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Wisconsin. In his young thirties, there's little doubt he'll be president of the bank someday.

The grandbabies, on both sides, are all doing well. Since there are thirteen of them, with number fourteen due any day, I won't go into each individual, but I will say, up close or from a distance, all are a joy in our lives. Our living room wall is adorned with pictures of all and no grandbabies could be loved more than ours. 

So on this hallowed morning, I thank you for allowing me to travel down memory lane, not only of this past year, but of those gone by. 

With love and the Lord's blessings, Sargie and I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. 

Love,

Sargie and Tom

Still December 25th, Christmas

I thought I'd better write my usual blog while waiting for Sargie, especially since there are a million, billion, and thirteen pictures of last night's Mighty Milligan Christmas Celebration, hosted my Macrea, Mel, and Hambone.

Christmas Eve began by taking a hike with Yooper Brother Mark.

Despite the thermometer registering six degrees and a twenty mile an hour wind, we hiked to the Brule River bridge and back.

 Most noticeable is how thick the water is becoming. It won't be long before the entire river is encased in ice and will remain that way until next spring.

Lake effect snow squalls from Lake Superior blew through for the entire morning. The sun would be out one minute with blizzard like conditions the next.

Sargie kept busy throughout the morning making cheesy potatoes and garlic bread as her contribution to the Mighty Milligan Christmas Eve Celebration.

Last night's gathering was a complete success. Macrea, Mel, and Hambone, complete with his bowtie, were the perfect hosts.

Here, you can see for yourself.

 

Pawpaw loves blowing belly bubbles on Makenna and making her laugh

Mel and Macrea had a game that involved two balls they'd made of plastic wrap where candy and gifts where wrapped inside. The object was to unwrap the balls wearing oven mitts while the person next to you rolled dice. Whenever doubles appeared, the ball and dice were passed down the line. Whatever candy or small gift dropped out went to the person doing the unwrapping. There's a short video further down the page that will show you the madness that ensued. It's been years since I've laughed so hard.

 

Sargie's up and around and it's about time to begin opening presents on Pentoga Road. We'll be heading to Milligan Mountain later this morning for the annual Christmas gathering, an informal affair.

So with that being said, once again, from Sargie and me, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...