March 3, 2021 - Wednesday morning

24 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Have you ever met someone, even while talking on the phone, and had an instant friendship? Let me introduce you to my newest BFF, Markie.

I'd called Verizon Wireless twice in the past two months in an effort to claim the discount that was promised when I purchased a new iPhone. When the newest bill arrived, the third since purchasing the phone, I was understandably upset. The discount was nonexistent.

It's said three's a charm. I was ready to do battle with whomever was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of my call. I've been on hold for a customer service person so many times that I've memorized Verizon's wait music, the ditty that plays before a voice sporadically interrupts, saying, "We are currently experiencing a higher than normal call volume...."

A ring tone.

"Thank you for calling Verizon Wireless. This is Markie. How may I help you?"

The first obvious thing was that Miss Markie was from the south... the deep South and that's with a capitol S. 

I was immediately disarmed. 

Darn it.

I wanted, no I needed, to go into battle with someone named Butch or Frank who was sporting a three day growth of beard and bad breath. Better yet, give me a call rep named Tugla who barely speaks English. The manly man in me wanted to mix it up. This was my third phone call with no discount and I'd waited and listened to that *&^(#+@ music for, literally, hours.

Just my luck, a nice person answered, a really nice lady. I was going to have to expend no small amount of energy to remain angry.

I pled my case and Miss Markie said she understood and would resolve my problem before our conversation concluded.

My poker face melted like the snows of the Upper Peninsula in the late spring sun. Who can be mad at a pleasant, true, southern belle, named Markie.

Over the next half hour, while she clicked from one computer screen to the other, we covered a variety of subjects. I learned she was calling from an office in their home in Alabama and she liked to dress for work, fix her hair and apply her makeup, etc. before going into an adjoining room to begin her work day.

We talked of grandchildren, how long Sargie and I have been together, that Markie and her husband married just two years ago, and so on and so on. 

She said she loves to read and learn and that my case was one of her favorites. During our time together, she had to do some intensive research to solve the problem and thanked me for allowing her to learn something new.

With my twenty-some dollar monthly discount applied and knowing there were others who needed her attention, it came time to tell Markie goodbye. 

You remember the old ATT&T commercial, "Reach out, reach out and touch someone." 

Yeah, well, had it been possible, that's what would have happened yesterday afternoon.

Consider yourself hugged, Markie, and like I said, be sure to tell your boss you deserve a raise. Should she have any questions, you have her contact me and if she's anything like you, I'll give her a big hug too.

Page two:

The Hyundai made it to the autobody shop yesterday morning in Iron Mountain on time. Given a loaner, a real clunker with absolutely NO suspension, Sargie and I did a bit of shopping, drove around looking at houses, and even enjoyed a bit of breakfast.

Sargie's thinking it's time to paint the dining room. I think it looks just fine as it is, but since she's the house boss, my case for not painting has fallen on deaf ears. Knowing that, the girl perused paint samples at Home Depot.

Home by noon, I warmed the shop and spent the afternoon out there. The bluegill took longer than expected to sand, but it's ready to paint. 

I was turning the segmented bowl on the lathe when I snagged the top ring causing it to fly off into the Netherlands of the shop. I recovered most of it, but had to make two new segments to replace those that were damaged. 

Sargie carried in wood and secured the tarp that covers the portable garage. One corner had blown loose in yesterday's gale force wind.

Since I'd missed my morning walk, I left the house late in the afternoon for Pentoga Village. I haven't had an earache since I was a small child, but yesterday's gusty wind made me wish my ears were hanging on someone else's head. It was a condition that went away once I arrived back home.

Last night was a quiet one spent by the wood stove in front of the tv.

It's daylight and time to head out the door. With warmer temperatures forecast, I'm going to make a trail through the woods in preparation for maple season. Several in the area are already beginning to tap trees, but I think it's too early. Still, it's time to get that thought process going. I think I'll hold out for later in the month.

It appears our long anticipated sojourn south will be temporarily postponed. We'll be heading to Madison on Monday, but as of now, it appears we'll be turning around and coming back home. 

Time to get this show on the road.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...