June 28, 2021 - Tuesday morning

64 degrees/light rain/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Seems there is no longer any middle ground in the weather department. This year, including last winter, we've either experienced warm temperatures with little precipitation, or way below temps and/or copious amounts of rain. We never did get much snow last winter.

The rain started late yesterday afternoon with angry clouds rolling in from the southwest. Since then, over .6 of an inch has fallen with light rain still coming down. 

Today's forecast? More of the same.

The sudden influx of moisture has certainly awakened the wild flowers along Pentoga Road. I occasionally feel much like Dorothy must have while skipping through the poppy fields on her way to the Emerald City.

Back home from Monday's walk, Sargie and I prepared all the ingredients for lunch. Cos and Mike were coming and we wanted something that wouldn't interrupt our social time.

The guys arrived before noon and after walking through the garden and around the pond, we began digging the thornless blackberries I'd given them.

Unfortunately, they only have room in their garden for three plants. I'll move the others to alongside the woods where they should grow and prosper just fine.

Cos gave me some excellent advice on the pond and garden. You may remember that both he and Mike designed our pond and have one of their own.

Cos suggested that I use sand bags to hold fill, sand and gravel, and make more shallow areas, both by the "swimming beach" and also on the far side. The shallower swimming beach will allow us to sit in the water without sliding deeper, also make it safer for the little ones who may be playing in the sand. Shallower areas on the far side will support more plant life and will have submerged pots in which plants will thrive.

I also learned that cannas, the same as those growing in the garden and alongside the barn, will thrive just fine in water.

Overall, he said the pond and garden, both, were beautiful and coming along. I take that as the ultimate compliment from an expert.

After several hours of great conversation over the dining room table, the guys left for home. I was checking the weather radar when my phone froze. I couldn't turn it off, slide anything, or close any apps. 

A quick trip to the Verizon store in town proved fruitful. I was shown how to do a soft reboot and within seconds, my iPhone mini 12 was back to normal.

We enjoyed a nice soft rainfall all evening and throughout the night. Having lived for several years in the rain forest of Southeast Alaska, I'm much more comfortable in wet conditions than dry. Yooper Brother Mark teases me about my ongoing wish for more rain, but I simply reply, "Let 'er rain." 

When it begins to flood, I'll shut my mouth.

Ron and Nancy are to come at some point today and we'll load the bush hog mower onto his trailer. Other than that, I plan to be in the shop to work on the piece for the Fourth of July.

Oh, thanks to Norriene for her inspirational attachment. She seems to come up with all the right things to help in preparation with next year's AT hike.

Time to get wet and go for my morning walk.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...