Squirt's not only growing up, she's also growing some hair. 

March 10, 2021 - Wednesday morning

42 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I just got an "Umbrella Alert." What in the devil is that? For those of us who aren't "cutsie" in nature, I assume that means it's going to rain.

I had a rough evening last night. My sister-in-law had a prescription for RLS - restless legs, that was the same as mine, only manufactured by a different pharmaceutical company. I've taken the medication for several years with no side affects. A new prescription, hers made her sick and she gave it to me.

Last night, I popped one of her pills in my mouth and became violently ill within minutes. It's been years, more like decades, since my stomach involuntarily emptied its contents, but it sure did late yesterday afternoon. After, I slept on the couch for almost five and a half hours before going to bed and immediately falling asleep.

Only one problem. I awakened at 3:30 this morning rarin' to go. Knowing Sargie wouldn't appreciate a meaningful early morning conversation, I decided to get up for the day.

Lesson learned from last night? Never take someone else's prescription, even if the name and dosage are exactly the same. 

Arriving home from my Tuesday morning walk, I saw Sargie off for the day and began doing all kinds of small outside odd jobs. The ice fishing equipment was put away, yet remains easily accessible should I get the urge. Wood was hauled and a fire started in the outdoor wood furnace. With the temperature climbing towards fifty degrees, it felt good to be outside doing anything.

The rest of the day was spent in the shop. I finished the bottom of the segmented bowl and it will be put in the mail today.

It was onto the next project, a name for Cheeks... 'er, Reese. I'm making a mounted sign for her room complete with girly girl flowers and all those things that we insensitive guys can't fully appreciate. After Cheeks' sign will come one for Squirt.

Since this is a sensitive piece of work, meaning it's girly girl, the letters needed to be appropriately delicate. I decided on the font and began an hour of extremely painstaking sawing.

The letter R was one of the most difficult pieces I've ever cut, not because of the flowing lines, but because the very thin wood would crack and break if too much pressure was applied. 

In the end, Cheeks' name was sawed and somewhat sanded. Now onto her middle name, Jude.

Sargie called mid afternoon saying she was on her way home. I decided to put on my pack with fifteen pounds of weight and begin walking towards her.

I discovered two things yesterday afternoon:

1) the pack's a good one, but needed some major adjustments

2) I may be in great walking shape, but my body isn't worth a darn for carrying any weight.

I'll begin carrying the pack two or three times a week while on my daily walks from now on.

It appears this will be an inside day. I'll go for my walk at first light then see what Sargie has planned. Otherwise, I'll go to the shop and continue being a sensitive type guy making girly girl things.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

1991 - A lifetime ago

That's me standing in front of my marching band at the high school where I taught in northern Maine. The band eventually grew to between 120 to 140 members, all from a junior/high school of less than 500 students.

Thanks for the picture, Eileen. A blast from the past, eh?