Welcome home, Cheeks!

February 5, 2021 - Friday morning

7 degrees/snow showers/strong winds

Pentoga Road

Yes indeed, Baby Cheeks brought her parents home Thursday, mid morning. All arrived from Green Bay in good shape and the last I heard, Cheeks is settling in nicely. 

It appears Hambone has gone from being skeptical to accepting and proud in his new role of being a big brother. The boy was sure excited last night, not only that his baby sister had finally arrived, but also that Mama and Daddy were home.

All that's missing is Sadie. With the weather as it is, we told them that there's no rush on our part to take her home. When the roads are passable and the family is ready, we'll deliver their pooch.

Speaking of weather, we certainly received a boat load of it yesterday, nearly a foot of snow if not more. The patio, grill, and all were mostly bare the day before yesterday. They certainly aren't now.

The snow began around 7 AM and just kept coming. Evidently, we were in the prime snow band as everyone we talked with in Iron Mountain said they received under three inches. 

Forsaking my usual morning walk, I did some extensive writing and a bit of research while waiting for Sargie to get ready for the day. 

Hmm, a cold, snowy day. A dog lying at my feet. A fire crackling in the stove. Nothing sounded better than a big breakfast.

Let's see, a few eggs, some sliced left over sirloin steak, a green pepper... the kitchen sink. Time to eat.

I told Sargie Pants that if she wanted to get her daily Coke, it was going to be now or never. With snow falling at a rate of well over an inch an hour, we fired up the old Blazer, put it in four wheel drive, and made her Coke run. ( I have to be perfectly honest. Sargie insisted it wasn't necessary, the weather and all, but I really wanted to go out and play with the four wheel drive and bust through a drift or two. 

As I said yesterday, there's still the spark of a little boy who likes a good old fashioned snowstorm.

Arriving back home, it was obvious that my wish was coming true. There was more than enough snow in which to play. 

Sadie turned into a fifi dog and didn't want to go out. Since I couldn't convince Sargie to join me, I contented myself by making three more segmented rings in the shop.

I'd have cut, glued, and clamped more, but ran out of large hose clamps. As it was, I had to use the clamp that serves as my radio antenna.

The first ring that was constructed on Wednesday was attached to the base of the bowl. The same will be done with the other rings in the next day or two.

So the day went. I ventured out several times clearing a path on the patio so I could determine how fast the snow was falling. 

Though Sadie didn't like putting her little pink toenail paws in the big ugly snow, I made her come outside with me and learn to wait alongside the road while I got the mail. We love taking care of her, but are always fearful that she'll wander onto the road. That's just not an option.

Driving snow or no, it took less than ten minutes for the pup to learn that she can walk up to, but NOT onto the road. The poor girl had to endure sitting all alone while watching me walk away to our rural mailbox. She gave into temptation and came out once, only to be led back, severely chastised, and told to sit and stay.

She's a smart pup. The second go round was perfect.

My insulated sleeping pad that will be used on the AT came in yesterday's mail. With an R value of 4.3 and several inches of depth, it should be help to keep me not only warm, but comfortable, during the first six weeks of next year's hike.

Evening came and I just couldn't stay inside any longer. Snow was still coming down and piling up in the drive. In the old days, my sons and I would be outside playing, taking turns clearing the drive with the snowblower, making snow caves and snow men.

It was coming down so fast that this was the second go round in a short period of time.

I donned my heavies and headed out the door. 

The new snowblower with its sixteen horses of pure, raw, testosterone-filled power, ate through the snow like a knife through hot butter. By the time I cleaned the drive, another few inches had fallen. It was a never ending process, but who cared? It was fun playing in this year's first major snow.

Other than play with Sadie the pup, last night was a quiet one.

The snow plow just went through which means Yooper Brother Mark will be out in a bit to go for our usual Friday morning walk. Other than that, I'm going to double my outdoor pleasure and plow Jambo's drive. 

Hmm, just thinking ahead. I'm having visions of throwing another log on the fire, curling up under a blanket and closing my eyes to dream of the days ahead, gardens, green grass, a pond in which to swim.

Yep, a nap is definitely on this afternoon's agenda.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...