Monday signaled the start of spring cleaning in the basement

April 4, 2017 - Tuesday

40 degrees/cloudy skies/breezy

Pentoga Road

What's up with this spring cleaning anyway? I thought Sargie was on vacation, that we'd laze the days away in slug-like fashion while throwing our cares to the wind. 

That woman of mine sure knows how to ruin a good time.

It was after lunch when I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes for a quick nap. Two hours had passed when the sound of activity in the basement awakened me. I'd slept so hard that I thought it was the next day. 

What was that sound?

It was Sargie up to her elbows in old canned goods, all of them out of date, some by ten or more years. A couple were actually tin cans like we had when I was young, before aluminum became popular.

Well, what's a guy to do, sit on the bottom step and watch? I began putting all the disposables into a large clothes basket and brought them upstairs. The rest of the day was spent opening cans or jars and dumping their contents into five gallon buckets.

The trip up and down the steps was repeated several times and in the end, I emptied two very full five gallon buckets of glop in the woods. That doesn't count any liquid that was dumped down the drain. No doubt, there were some very happy bears last night.

A few jars of dill pickles, those I'd canned six years ago, were rediscovered with rusted rings and lids. I ended up in the shop, putting each in a wood vice, and using a large pair of channel lock pliers to loosen the lids.

Almost all of the goodies were left by the previous owners.

Old canning jars that had been full were emptied and washed to be used again this summer

The old canned goods were forgotten about over the years as we stacked newer ones in front.

There were also a lot of outdated herbal and natural supplements the previous owners left behind. Colon cleanse? No thanks.

I imagine there is a bear running around the north woods this morning with a very clean colon. As I told Mom before her operation and was enduring the day-before preparation, "A clean colon is a happy colon." 

Our bears should be down right giggly.

I spent a couple of hours in the shop on Monday morning assembling the first bluebird house.

I had some difficulty with the interior angles, but otherwise, it went together without a hitch. I hope to finish the second house either today or tomorrow.

We spent the rest of Monday morning in Iron Mountain. I ran errands while Sargie was at the beautician's.

The first stop was to recycle the several month's worth of plastic bottles that hold the flavored carbonated water I've become so fond of.

My next destination was Home Depot where enough pavers were purchased to replace the white gravel and landscape timbers that currently make up the front entry to the porch. Redesigning the entire area will begin once the ground is completely dry.

Normally $1.50 each, the pavers were on sale for 98 cents. Weighing 20 lbs each, the nose of the little Kia was pointing towards the heavens coming home.

It looks as though we're headed to Green Bay this morning for several needed household items. No doubt, I'll find something to purchase that I had no idea I even needed. It seems to happen every time.

Time to get this show on the road. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Ivy's completed toy box and book shelf

Miss Ivy is enjoying the springtime snow in northern Maine

April 3, 2017 - Monday

41 degrees/light rain/ calm winds

Pentoga Road

We are delighting in this latest bout of warm weather. Yesterday's high reached the mid-sixties and all I wanted to do was play outside. I couldn't stand the thought of a near-perfect day going to waste and it didn't.

Out the door first thing, I hiked to Pentoga Village. Sister-in-law, Jeanne, called to ask some early-season gardening questions and I enjoyed talking with her during the return journey home. 

Boots were exchanged for shoes and it was out to the greenhouse. The hollyhocks I planted several weeks ago needed transplanting into individual pots.

Ah, the aroma, the ambience, of the greenhouse, to stand among the bags of this and that, plastic six packs, wire, twine, and frost blankets, some out of place. It made no difference. For an hour on Sunday morning, life was celebrated as I dipped my hands into the moist potting soil, filling small containers in which to transplant the perennial flowers. 

I'm getting ready to do some major work on the greenhouse. Whether it's this year or next remains to be seen.

Since there is no need for the clear panels on the north side of the greenhouse, the same for the part of the roof that slants north, I'm considering replacing the panels with solid material to better insulate the inside. Brother Elmer, my Inupiaq Eskimo friend, used to tell me that only fear is holding me back. 

Indeed it is. 

Still, I envision the north side of the greenhouse, the one that faces the house, as having weathered barn-type siding and sporting a rustic garden look. Will I actually go through with it? Time will tell.

I staked out an area 10x7 feet yesterday to get an idea of what I might want for a garden pond. I picture a waterfalls starting above the planter by the greenhouse and dropping down into a pond, complete with fountain, in the green middle area. 

It's the fear thing, the old, If it ain't broke, why fix it? On the other hand, the area where the garden and orchard are was once filled with brush, trash, and boulders. It wasn't broke, it was simply ugly. 

I moved from the greenhouse and garden to the shop. Neighbor Mike had given me a bluebird house to use as a pattern and I continued to cut out enough pieces to construct two houses.

I found the angles quite difficult, but with enough perseverance, they were cut and I'll begin assembling the houses today. Both will be fastened under the overhang on the south side of the barn facing the back yard, one at each end.

I placed two types of early bearing tomatoes between wet paper towels Sunday morning.

I'm especially interested in the 42 Day variety. (Its actual name.) I can't imagine having ripe tomatoes by the Fourth of July and since we're this far north, wouldn't be surprised if the forty-two days stretches to sixty-five or longer. Still, being a sucker for garden gimmicks, I had to give this variety a try.

The tomato seeds are placed between the folds of a damp paper towel and sealed in a zip lock bag. They should swell and sprout in the next four to five days at which time they'll planted in six packs allowing them to mature in preparation for the gardening season.

Sargie and I had a wonderful afternoon drive around several lakes west of Iron River. We're enjoying our short daily jaunts rather than the longer trip that we'd originally planned. We live in an area where people from all over the country travel to on vacation. Why not enjoy what's in our own backyard?

Back home, Sargie, wanting to get some exercise, talked me into taking another walk to Pentoga.

It's a three mile hike, round trip, with plenty of hills to elevate the heart rate. I actually started the pedometer at the halfway point, in Pentoga Village, before we started back. Our home is towards the top.

Sargie spotted something in the woods. Fearless, she crossed the ditch and pulled out an old metal pot, possibly one that was used as a thunder mug. 

My hiking partner loves relics. The pot was brought home and I'll do some repairs before she fills it with dirt to be used as a flower planter.

Sargie also noticed a rather interesting branch growing from one of the trees on our property.

The branch almost makes a complete circle. Sargie says it's a heart and I should climb up and carve our initials. You know, I'm just crazy enough to do so.

Yooper Brother Mark sent a picture of Isabella enjoying a big ol' plate of spaghetti at their new home in Wyoming. I believe the move is complete and they are now in the unpacking stage.

Everyone knows that food always tastes better if you can smear some on your face.

Andy and family were enjoying the beautiful northern Maine day by being outside and walking through the snow.

Andy's always been a "hands on" type of guy and with simple hand tools, has made several pieces of their own furniture. He sent a picture of his latest creation, a toy box/book shelf for Ivy.

The art of fine furniture making has all but disappeared. With the high cost of quality lumber coupled with apathy and a lack of knowledge, people find it easier and less expensive to simply purchase an unassembled piece of furniture at a big box store and construct something made from particle board covered in paper. It's a matter of want, craftsmanship, and economics. 

I once quipped that Andy could have a future making furniture. His reply was that no one wants to pay the cost of the milled lumber, let alone for his labor.

I'm glad my youngest son is keeping the ancient craft alive.

After a meal of brats cooked on the grill, Sargie and I (oh, and Brutus) had a wonderfully quiet evening watching the Academy of Country Music Awards. 

Sargie was putting on her walking shoes and Brutus didn't want her to leave. 

Sargie has a hair appointment in Iron Mountain this morning. I'll ride with her and run a few errands while she's sitting in the chair.

First, however, I think there's enough time to assemble a bluebird house or two before leaving.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Sargie's attempting to wedge her feet from under the bulldog.
Failing to stop her from putting on her shoes, Brutus simply rolled onto her feet, preventing her from getting out of the chair (and hoping for a belly rub.)

Look who's out enjoying the beautiful spring weather!
Sargie's throwing rocks into the river.

April 2, 2017 - Sunday

31 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Spring must be here to stay. Though I've not seen one yet, I am listening to a robin warbling his little heart out. It sure sounds wonderful after a winter devoid of any sound.

The doorbell rang early Saturday morning. It was Neighbor Mike back from New Zealand lugging a dead raccoon with a trap attached to it's leg.

So this was the trap stealing varmint who, a month ago, had destroyed our back yard and bird feeders with it. Seems the crimping on the cable had pulled loose when the coon was caught and he ran, trap attached, the quarter mile to Mike's barn. Mike found him yesterday morning.

Raccoons are a real problem in the UP. In fact, they, along with coyotes, are the only two animals that can be legally hunted or trapped year round on private land if they are causing any damage. This coon did plenty, before and after he was caught.

Mike also gave me two burls that I'll let dry and see what I can turn out of them at a later date.

They aren't very big, but possibly I could make a couple of small bowls. First, they have to dry.

Mike returned, asking to borrow my ramps so he could load his tiller into a trailer to take back to Marquette. 

I was working in the shop a bit later when Mike knocked on the door asking to borrow a four wheeler. Seems Quincy, his pup, had run off. She eventually returned to the back porch of his camp. 

Yep, for sure, Neighbor Mike's back.

With the morning awash as far as accomplishing anything, Sargie and I hopped in the car for our daily drive. We stopped at the local hardware store to purchase a tube of caulk so I might work on the solar heater attached to the shop.

Our Ace Hardware, the largest north of Green Bay, has a bit of everything. When was the last time you saw five-buckle overshoes?

Sargie and I were talking not long ago about how I wore them outside all winter long, even to go ice fishing with Dad. First came two or three pair of socks, then my shoes, and finally, the toes of the boots were stuffed with newspaper. I'd wobble out onto the ice and fish all day alongside Dad. My feet are still attached, so they must have worked.

We eventually wound our way to the hydroelectric dam in Crystal Falls.

The spring melt is fully on and torrents of water are rushing over the spillway.

Foam and spray have frozen at the bottom creating a rather interesting sculpture.

Sargie and I were laughing that someday, when we take a honeymoon, rather than spend the time at Niagara Falls, we'll simply drive ten miles and visit the dam in Crystal Falls. 

There is a child in each of us. I've yet to see Sargie fail to pick up a rock (or boulder) and give it a toss into a nearby puddle, lake, or river. Yesterday was no exception.

Sargie also loves to look in the car's rearview mirror and see the tracks created by driving through a puddle. I'm glad I'm not the only big kid who lives in this house.

We stopped by our local lake where the ice is still firmly in control. At this rate, I imagine it will be a couple of weeks before break up occurs.

Back home, I busied myself in the garden transplanting a couple of bush cherry plants.

I wanted to get them moved before they emerged from dormancy. I also transplanted a blueberry bush that I've been tripping over for the past two years. 

A sure sign of spring is when the rhubarb begins to poke from the ground.

Sargie spent time cleaning the garage and after, we enjoyed a three mile stroll to the lake and back.

I imagine today will be much the same. I'm making two bluebird houses using one Mike gave me as a pattern. Hopefully, I'll get to repair the solar heater today, and there are seeds to sow inside. 

Spring is roaring in with guns a blazing. 

Time to strap on the hiking boots and walk to the Brule River, see if there's any water flowing.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Also featured at our local hardware store

It's springtime on Pentoga Road and the Mighty Brule river is flowing large.

April 1, 2017 - Saturday

24 degrees/clear/calm winds

Pentoga Road

Indeed, spring has arrived in the Upper Peninsula and with it, plenty of projects to usher in the coming summer months.

It won't be long and I'll be working in the garden. There are raised beds to repair, new wood chips to spread in the rows, and even stubborn weeds to pull that managed to overwinter before they gain a foothold in the aisles.

I left home on foot for Pentoga Village early Friday morning. Though it's only three miles, roundtrip, there are a couple of hills to get one's heart pounding. 

I'm obviously out of shape as I huffed and puffed up one hill and down the other side. It seems in my more mature years that it takes a never ending regimen of physical activity just to maintain the status quo. I have ten pounds to shed and they aren't going willingly. Of course, eating an entire school of fried bluegill filets for supper doesn't help.

OK, so I cheated on my first day of the diet. It's Lent and yesterday was Friday. Not eating fish on Friday during Lent is like saying you don't believe in Baby Jesus. I'll reboot the diet today.

Now where was I? Yesterday's walk was beautiful. The snow, for the most part, is gone and one can inhale that magic springtime scent that I love so much, the simple smell of dirt. 

Once home, with Sargie's help, we moved the squash that had gone bad from the basement.

Loaded into a trash can and on a two-wheeled dolly, Sargie pulled while I lifted from below.

I hated to see so many squash go to waste, but we'd frozen all we could eat in a year and gave away as many as were spoken for. No doubt, there are a lot of happy deer running around this morning.

Sargie and I enjoyed our afternoon ride around the area.

Seems we weren't the only creatures enjoying the beautiful day.

When we stopped to look at the cattle and horses, this mare strolled over to the fence, no doubt, looking for a free hand out.

We drove by Summertime Sam, the wooden mannequin that someone adorns several times yearly. I've seen Sam dressed in shorts and a tank top, hunting gear, and even sporting a winter coat, hat, and ice fishing gear.

Yesterday, Sam had a beer bottle necklace, Mardi Gras beads, and was sporting a Detroit Tigers/St. Pat's day t shirt. 

We drove aimlessly, sipping Cokes, talking, and enjoying the scenery. It was nice driving with another set of eyes.

We saw an innovative way of attaching a mailbox. 

There's little doubt it was dismembered by a snowplow. It'll be interesting to see if this is a temporary or permanent repair. My thoughts, if it's permanent, I hope the owner has enough class to wrap it in duct tape, make it real pretty.

The best stop of the day was at our local alpaca farm where we talked with the owner, Cindy.

We've talked about getting a couple of alpacas along with a miniature horse or two to keep the weeds at bay in the old popple woods. 

I don't know. The wolf/coyote proof fence would cost some big bucks as would the barn I'd need to build. On the other hand, we (I?) would get great joy from them. Cindy's alpacas follow her everywhere, humming, (as alpacas do) and love children. 

Go ahead and call me silly. I've been called worse. If nothing comes of it, that's okay. A guy can dream.

It must be spring. Sargie and I brought up two pots of spikes and vinca vines. They were turning quite pale after I stole their grow light to use in the indoor greenhouse.

The plants will be moved in and out of the garage daily until the nighttime temperatures remain above freezing.

Luke sent me a picture of Coleman who is wrestling in the New England finals today.

At a whoppin' 84.6 lbs, this huge meet could propel Coleman onto some really important venue like the WWF.  My pint sized grandson could match strength, power, and cunning with the likes of the old time wrestlers, Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes, or Gorgeous George. Good luck little buddy! Grandpa and Grandma Sargie will be pulling for you!!

I performed some springtime maintenance yesterday afternoon on the little four-wheeler, my summertime "pick up truck" and was successful in getting it started. 

After the last of the snow is melted and the yard dries, it will once again become my go-to work vehicle.

Brutus wasn't letting the nice weather escape his attention. We played fetch with the tennis ball several times throughout the day. 

In the Mom News Department: Mom was discharged last night from the hospital and was to be housed in the rehab unit of her community. My sister said there was some sort of mix up so both Mom and Barb ended up staying the night in Mom's apartment. My sister said that Mom is doing great and other than feeling somewhat weak, is rapidly gaining ground.

All I'll say about the mix up is that I would hate to be the administrator of the Health Center (rehab), the Director of Admissions, the Director of Nursing, and the Director of the entire complex on Monday morning. Barb, who has been the Director of Nursing and an administrator of multiple nursing homes for almost fifty years, will probably have something to say to each in one big meeting. In fact, I know she will. I sure would like to be a fly on the wall when that happens during Monday's convocation. It promises to be a good one.

It appears as though Mom will be receiving therapy and home healthcare while staying in her apartment if she continues to heal. She'll be with my sister and brother in law this weekend in their home. 

Yooper Brother Mark and Sheri are in Wyoming helping Sarah and family move to a near by community. It looks as though Grandpa is keeping his camera handy.

Isabella

After I return from this morning's walk, I'm going to begin work on the solar heater on the side of the barn. Where's Mississippi Brother Garry, the principal builder of this contraption, when I need him?

The internal temperature gets so hot that it's begun to melt and warp the heavy foam insulation causing it to block the air intake.

I'll have to remove the screws and caulking, then pry the top of the glass away from the frame so I can trim away the insulation. I'm not looking forward to the job.

The hollyhocks that were started from seed three weeks ago need to be transplanted into individual containers and placed in the outdoor greenhouse. I'll cover them at night to keep the seedlings from freezing.  It's also time to sow the early tomato seed and other more common flowers.

It's going to be a busy day. I guess I'd better get it started.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

I'll give you one guess who won this battle playing tug of war.