That's Grady, earning the title of Tractor Boy, helping Pawpaw on Monday afternoon. Daddy was assistant Tractor Boy.

March 30, 2021 - Tuesday morning

50 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

There's something about a young boy and a tractor that is like the north end of a bar magnet attracting the south pole of another. 

I learned yesterday that the attraction of a video game to a young boy is just as strong. What to do was questionable for a few minutes, but Hambone soon came to his senses and opted to help Pawpaw with the tractor.

I was changing the hydraulic fluid in the Ford tractor yesterday and needed hands to hold a funnel while I poured new oil from a five gallon pail. 

I can't blame Hambone for being hesitant to leave his game. He's a town kid and other than his time spent with us, has little exposure to the outdoors, gardening, working up firewood, mechanics, simple carpentry, or anything that occurs outside of school.

The boy's a whiz at video games though.

I have so much I want to teach him, skills that require common sense to be used later in life, skills that I was often too busy to teach my sons. Thankfully, all are quick studies and have gone on to far surpass me in the common sense ways of everyday living. Still, they occasionally call and ask for Dad's advice. 

I like that. I like that alot.

My dad was a super hero with the exception of three categories, cooking, mechanics, and wood working. Oh, and he didn't know how to use the wash machine, but he could pop popcorn and was a master pancake flipper. (Of course, Mom made the batter.)

The man couldn't boil water. I well recall on a father/son campout when it came time to fix eggs. Dad told me I had to fry them. He didn't know how. The man REALLY didn't know how.

My lakeside fried eggs soon became scrambled, but he pronounced them the best he'd ever eaten. 

Mom taught me the very next week the basics of frying eggs, the same basics I still use to this day.

Dad couldn't turn a wrench or hold a hammer to save his soul. I swear, up to the day he died, if he wanted to tighten or loosen a nut, he mentally went through the "lefty/loosy, righty/tighty," ditty in his mind. 

Dad may have been deficient in a some areas, but like most super heroes, excelled in others. Even Superman was vulnerable to kryptonite. 

Dad was smart enough to know his weaknesses and ask for help, but brilliant enough to volunteer and help others learn to read and write and if asked, freely help with anything he could, even if it meant being a "gofer" while working on a volunteer building project. 

Macrea has urged me to teach Grady all I know and freely admits that, like Dad, his strengths are in other, less hands-on, areas. I told him I'll teach the boy what I can.

Yesterday, Hambone earned the title of Tractor Boy by learning how to change the hydraulic fluid in an old tractor. It was just another rung up the learning ladder of life.

Here to pick up Sadie, Mel, Macrea, Hambone, and Cheeks, surprised Grandma Sargie by bringing a video game from the 80's, one she often played with her four sons and has talked about often. Something called, Toejammin' Earl.

Hmmm.

For over five hours on Monday afternoon, Toejammin' Earl was alive and well on our television screen with the normally quiet Grandma Sargie whooping and hollering, her fingers deftly manipulating the controller. 

I'm not a gamer, not even a card player to speak of. Quickly growing bored and missing the beautiful day outside, I quietly stepped out the door and worked on the tractor.

We bid the kids goodbye late in the afternoon. Bone's on spring break and Macrea had taken a vacation day. Mel's still on maternity leave. Unfortunately, Macrea has to return to the real world today.

I enjoyed Sadie's company these past few days, but telling her goodbye wasn't difficult. Dogs, children, and young families, all seem to go together in one, big, loud, rambunctious, ball of loving chaos. 

I have been slowly acquiring those things needed for next year's AT hike. Another pair of Orange Insoles arrived yesterday. I've tried various brands and Orange seems to make my feet and arches the happiest. I still have two more pair to purchase between now and next February. Sargie will send them as needed as I make my way up the trail.

I think we're headed to Green Bay today, but still unsure. It's either today or Wednesday. Sargie's diamonds need to be checked before month's end for the lifetime warranty to remain in effect. 

Okay, it's finally daylight. Time to strap on those hikers and put a quick three to four miles under my feet.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Well, okay, maybe I'll miss her just a little bit.