Cheeks

February 10, 2021 - Wednesday morning

-21 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

It's eleven degrees warmer than yesterday at this time and I feel as though we're experiencing a heat wave. I'm tempted to put on my nonexistent Speedos and go outside and roll around in the snow while singing an iconic warm weather tune.

Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees...

Ah, for those days of flowers and bees. Our trees are naturally devoid of any leaves and even Jimmy the Chickadee has forsaken me for warmer climes deep in the woods.

I find I'm becoming lethargic during this cold weather and seem perfectly contented to remain inside doing, well, basically nothing.

Head out to the shop? 

Naw, it would take hours to warm up.

Work in the garden house? 

I'd have to carry the propane heater out there and all my tools. By the time I do that, the day'll be half over.

Go fishing?

I'm so tired of putting on my heavies and getting the equipment ready in the hope of catching a few crappies or bluegills. Some other day.

Chase Sargie around the house?

I ain't as young as I used to be. Besides, what would I do if I actually caught her?

Decades ago, Mom, Dad, Barb, and I, would make an annual pilgrimage during the winter months to visit Grandma and Grandpa who lived on a lake in northern Minnesota. I was always eager to go ice fishing. Grandpa would be right out there, fishing and doing other winter activities right alongside Dad and me.

As the years passed, I graduated from high school and college and while visiting for a wintery week during my first year of teaching in northern North Dakota, Grandpa and I went ice fishing together only once. After that, he seemed perfectly happy to sit inside and watch me fish while looking out their living room picture window.

As the years passed, I was forlorn to learn that he'd sold his fish shack. The last time I visited Grandma and Grandpa on the lake, he told me he wasn't going to ice fish that coming winter, that it was just too much work. 

That next summer, Grandma and Grandpa moved to the relatively balmy climes of SW Missouri to live out their golden years.

I don't mind winter, but enjoying it from indoors is something that has become easier to accept. At first, I thought I was simply being lazy, but thinking back through the years and of Grandpa, I know I'm entering yet another stage of life.

Even a generation removed,  I guess it's true. The acorn really doesn't fall far from the tree.

Tuesday's plans were demolished after I returned from my morning walk and Sargie suggested we drive to Iron Mountain to run a few errands and, ahem, possibly stop in and visit Cheeks.

Yup, Grandma Sargie was having a Cheeks attack. Everyone knows that Baby Cheeks can't grow and develop properly without a good dose of Grandma Sargie love and cuddles.

Well, okay, it takes a village to raise a child. I may have gotten in on the cuddling/snuggling action too.

I had to laugh. Sadie the goldendoodle wanted my undivided attention. Anytime I'd be near the baby, the pup would attempt to wedge herself between us. Worry not, Sadie got her snuggles and cuddles as well.

We had a great time at Cheek's house and it was good to get caught up with Mama and Daddy. We even made arrangements for Hambone to come spend time the weekend after next with us. We'll do some sledding, some snowmobiling, and if the temperature is warm enough, maybe some ice fishing.

It was time to move on. Separating Grandma Sargie and Cheeks is like removing a shipping label off a cardboard box shipped from Amazon. With the baby swaddled and sound asleep, Grandma bent over and kissed Cheeks, told her she loved her, and we were soon out the door.

Our next stop, Jeanne and Boyd's.

I quickly found one of my BFF's. 

It was my niece, Aria!!

Oh, we played chase, we played tickle, we played with toys. Best of all, we laughed.

I have no idea where the name comes from, but no matter how many times we say, Uncle Tom, she insists on calling me Geekgeek. 

Geek? Me? Maybe the year old beauty has some deep insight. 

Aria discovered my camera and after that, all bets were off. She took the following of Auntie Sargie and Grandma Jeanne. Pretty good, eh? The girl shows real potential.

Arriving home just before dark, I hurried to the pond and chipped a hole in the ice to let any gasses escape. After, I climbed onto the metal roof over the living room to work on the flue of the wood stove.

The screen that prohibits birds and bats from flying down the stovepipe was becoming clogged. Not a fan of climbing onto a snow covered metal roof during the winter months, I simply removed the screen. It will be put back into place this spring.

I was near the top rung of the ladder when, propped on pure ice along the edge of the roof, it began to fall sideways. Thankfully, neither Sargie nor I had heart attacks and my near Swan Lake ballet quality moves kept it from completely falling over.

As I said yesterday, it's not the height that bothers me, it's the hard ground below that will leave a mark.

From the tropical jungles of Florida, Norriene and Big Jim sent along a picture of their surroundings. They sure know how to make Sargie and me drool.

 

Strange, neither seem to be nearly as moved when viewing my pictures of snow and ice.

OK, with the temperature having climbed to -11, it's time to go for my walk. Included on today's agenda is to work on the electrical wiring in the garden house. Well, that is if I can find the energy to cart the heater and tools from the shop.

If not, I may sit inside by the wood stove and dream dreams of days gone by and warmer weather ahead.

Like I said, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...