I'm fairly certain everyone mistook me for a real cowboy while wearing this hat in one of the local outdoor stores.

March 23, 2014 – Sunday

65 degrees/breezy/rain

Leesville, Louisiana

This is my last full day in the Deep South. It’s been a good trip, filled with a pleasant combination of work and fun and a welcome respite from the snow and cold temperatures in the UP. I see tonight's low up home is to be between -10 and -15 degrees.

The red bud trees are in full bloom

Andy and I have accomplished what we set out to do less than a week ago. Boxes were packed early in the week, furniture was sold, given, or stored away, along with a few totes and boxes of items to be kept. We’ve eaten some great meals and for the umpteenth time this spring, I’ll restart my diet once I arrive back home.

At one of the local ice cream shops... they'll mix any type of concoction a person wants. I'm having strawberry/double chocolate ice cream with chunks of brownies, fresh strawberries, and Oreo cookies mixed in, all put into a huge waffle cone bowl coated with white chocolate and Oreo chips. No calories here.

We had a great road trip on Friday. Andy had a safety meeting to attend on the other side of Lafayette, Louisiana, about three hours east, so we were on the road fairly early. 

The day was bright, warm, and beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip weaving between the acres of crayfish (mud bug) ponds and dense forest and swamps.

While Andy was attending his meeting, I contented myself by sitting on a picnic table under a shade tree and enjoying the beautiful day.

You know, some people gripe and complain about getting older. I’m kind of the opposite. In my younger years, I wouldn’t have been mature enough to appreciate the warm temperatures on Friday. I think as we mature a bit in life, a person tends to stop and smell a few more roses along the way.

Andy started this pineapple plant from the top of one he purchased in the grocery store. After almost a year, a little pineapple has sprouted. The man has a very green thumb, something both he and I are proud of.

We arrived back home by mid afternoon and promptly went to a local pawnshop that doubles as the U Haul depot to rent a van for Saturday. After, we traveled to the other side of town where Andy leased a long-term storage unit.

Saturday saw us press both into service. We took a load of items to be donated to Helping Hands, a Good Will-type service here in Leesville. After, we began loading the van and made two separate trips to the storage unit. As of late yesterday afternoon, only a few articles remained in the house and as Andy said, if he wanted, he could lock the door and permanently walk away within an hour. We’ve done well.

There's a bed (the one I’ve been using) to move today, a few houseplants, and a couple of mirrors that go to one of Andy’s friends. Other than that, we’re finished. There are two steaks and two large baking potatoes in the refrigerator to be grilled outside for tonight’s supper. After, we’ll empty the charcoal from the grill and move it out to the curb.

Andy's renting the U Haul at one of the many local pawn shops. With Fort Polk just a few miles away, there is no shortage of establishments willing to take a young soldier's goods and money.

 I usually talk with Sargie several times a day. Our television, an inexpensive 32-inch model I purchased several years ago, quit. In doing research I found that it as all the symptoms of blown capacitors in the start up board. I’ll pull the back from the unit when I get home and if the four capacitors are bad, a simple trip to Radio Shack, coupled with a bit of solder, should see it going again. Failing that, I guess we’ll be shopping for a new TV.

Sargie’s done really well while I’ve been gone and finds as much company with Brutus as I do. Her only big calamity occurred last night when an inch-long vole scooted along the floor in front of her. I told her that voles don’t eat much and need love too, but Sargie was inconsolable. I guess I’ll go vole hunting when I arrive home. I don’t know how this one got into the house, but it seems I kill one or two a year. Last year, I saw one and simply grabbed it. Sargie says that’s not an option for her.

We’re planning on leaving around noon tomorrow for Houston. My flight doesn’t leave until 6 PM, but it’s a three-hour drive, plus security lines in the airport have been known to stretch for blocks. I’d rather get there early and spend my time watching people than worry about making the flight. Monday night will be spent in the Minneapolis Airport and I’ll fly onto Iron Mountain Tuesday morning.

Andy returns back to the Gulf early Wednesday and is unsure whether his boat that is used to move oil rigs will go into dry dock or be pressed into service for one more job before being pulled for repairs. As he said, he’ll find out when he gets there.

It’s time to get a cup of tea and begin the day. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… by way of Leesville, Louisiana.

What? I don't look like I'm from Louisiana? 

Andy has been disassembling the "Packer Room." We took quite a bit of time peeling Brett Favre off the wall.

March 21, 2014 - Friday
45 degrees/clear/calm
Leesville, Louisiana

There's no time to write this morning. We'll be leaving for Lafayette, Louisiana, in a few minutes so Andy can attend a safety meeting relating to his work.

I think the pictures will suffice for today.

I took a walk in during the afternoon and ended up at a Lowe's Lumber Yard where they had thousands of roses for sale.

Many of the fruit trees are out in bloom. They not only look beautiful, but also make the air smell wonderful.

We had a big ol' steak last night

And it was too die for good... a large ribeye

If I'd still be here, I think we'd be visiting the big cook off in another week

So there you have it. More stuff was carted to the curb and carried off. Andy worked most the day emptying his closets. I graded some papers, but mostly, I enjoyed the 70 degree weather. 

Andy and I are taking a road trip this morning and headed to Lafayette, Louisiana, about three hours away.

He's ready to go which means it's time for me to say....

A man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road... by way of Leesville, Louisiana....

My newest BFF, Ricky, taking his free futon home ... on the roof of his car.

March 20, 2014 – Thursday

55 degrees/sunny/calm

Leesville, Louisiana

The forecast high for today is 74 degrees with sunny skies. Need I say any more? I’m wearing jeans at this moment, but as soon as the thermometer notches another ten degrees (or when I finish writing) the shorts are coming out of the suitcase. It’s been a long winter.

We began packing/emptying/and throwing away items from the shed Wednesday morning. A couple of things were sold, but mostly they were packed into totes and boxes. By noon, the shed was empty.

Time to get started

Andy made the corporate decision to place a few pieces of furniture out by the curb accompanied by a “FREE” sign.

It wasn’t minutes before a little old lady stopped and tried to cram a dining room table, three accompanying chairs, two end tables, and a computer desk into her small car.

A random stranger walking down the street was quickly pressed into action. After all, who can resist a little old lady pleading for help? After several minutes, he shrugged and walked on. You can't fit a room full of furniture into the back of a small car. She wasn’t daunted and flagged down a construction worker who was driving a truck pulling a flatbed trailer with cement finishing tools. Grandma held him hostage until he agreed to load up the rest of the furniture and soon, he was following her home. We watched it all from behind the blinds in Andy’s living room and laughed.

She was back this morning attempting to cram a bedroom dresser and mirror into her car. She finally gave up and drove off, but not before flipping the "free" sign over in hopes that no one else will take the dresser before she can dupe someone with a pickup to haul it for her.

She tried to get this stranger to help, but he didn't bite and soon drove away.

The best curbside story of the day came in the form of a man and his girlfriend, a large futon, and an old large tube-type television. Ricky and his girlfriend wanted them all.

I could give blow-by-blow details, but to make a long and humorous story short, Ricky only had a small Chevy Malibu and didn’t know how he’d get the futon home.

Being a thinker of deep thoughts, I suggested he put it on top of the car. Ricky seemed to consider that as a viable alternative, but finally said he was afraid it might scratch the paint job.

There’s a reason why I think really deep thoughts… I suggested he put the mattress on the roof and place the frame on top of that. After a quick tie-down with a couple of bungee cords, the couple drove very slowly down the street.

We later helped Ricky to secure a large, very heavy, television onto the lip of his trunk. It wouldn’t fit inside and lacking a blanket to keep the screen from being scratched, he happily volunteered a shirt. Ah, curbside shopping. It’s the best form of entertainment the deep South has to offer.

We pigged out last night on Burger King’s Angry Whopper sandwiches and fries and later returned to Sonic for the half gallon ice cream-sized Blasts. Andy and I may be working, but there’s no rule saying we can’t eat junk food and have fun while doing so.

We began this morning by placing an air conditioner, a dresser and mirror, and a couple of night stands by the curb. Already, the air conditioner and tables have disappeared. No doubt, the bedroom dresser and mirror will quickly follow.

With the bulk of the work finished, I’m going to grade papers this morning then take a several mile walk around the neighborhood. Since I don’t have Brutus with me, I’ll have to depend on my smart phone’s GPS application.

Oops, I see it’s almost sixty-five degrees. Time to shed my winter wear and put on a pair of shorts, strap on my hiking shoes, and enjoy the early spring day.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… via Leesville, Louisiana.

Andy and I took a drive to this abandoned trailer park where all the aluminum has been stripped from each trailer for scrap metal.

Andy's taking a break from packing on Monday

March 17, 2014 – Monday

21 degrees/cloudy/breezy

Minneapolis, Minnesota

I was up this morning shortly after 3. Since I’d laid out my clothes and made everything ready for a very early departure, the only things that required any effort was throwing wood in the stove and running a toothbrush through my mouth.

The drive to Iron Mountain was smooth. I rarely drive in the dark, but there was no traffic this morning and I took my time, taking almost an hour and a half to make a trip that usually requires forty-five minutes. No problems.

I had a real lame brain idea on the way to the airport. Knowing that a large winter storm is barreling up the East Coast, I asked if there was any way I might get a ticket directly from Minneapolis to Houston rather than fly from Iron Mountain to Rhinelander, onto Minneapolis, to LaGuardia Airport, then finally to Houston.

The agent was quite nice. He did his magic with the computer and I was soon booked through to Houston, sans LaGuardia. In doing the rescheduling, he took out all the previous information.

The boarding pass from Iron Mountain to Minneapolis was printed, but try as he may, nothing could be printed for the final leg of the flight.

The agent called Delta who told us to call Alaska Air, where the miles were earned. Several minutes later, after three or four more phone conversations, he said he couldn’t help me and would rebook my original mileage ticket. When he tried, it wouldn’t let him. Someone had gotten the last ticket while he fiddled around talking on the phone. Suddenly, my entire trip looked in doubt.

I talked to Alaska Airlines and they offered to refund my original miles… for $125.00. It seems, once one drops from the MVP Gold + 75,000 miles flown per year, he suddenly becomes a second-class citizen. I pleaded, I laughed, I pulled out what little boyish charm is left in this mature body… nothing worked.

I hung up the phone and told the agent that he’d better work some magic. He said there was nothing he could do and it appeared I’d simply lost my ticket.

So, at 5 AM, I started the process. I wanted to talk with his supervisor and then to her supervisor. I finally reached someone who profusely apologized and within minutes, I had a ticket in my hand, one that took me directly from Minneapolis to Houston.

I walked into the Minneapolis Airport thinking I had the world by the tail only to find the direct flight had been cancelled and informed it would probably be Tuesday afternoon before I’d leave Minneapolis. The gate agent directed me to walk to the other side of the airport and have Delta Customer Service see what they could do for me. After all, I was traveling on a mileage ticket from a competing airline. I wasn’t exactly Delta’s highest priority.

Customer Service worked their magic while I told them the entire story. The young man sighed, then laughed, sighed, shook his head and finally told me I was booked to LaGuardia onto Houston later this afternoon. I’d secured the last ticket on the plane.

So far/so good. I’ve another hour and a half to wait before I wing my way to the East Coast so I can run from one gate to the other and wing my way back west. I don’t get it, but then I never have. Hey, I’m just an old school teacher. What do I know?

Page two

Sunday was spent working in the kitchen. I removed the rolls of tape from the trim in the kitchen while Sargie began touching up the places that were missed when painting. I had some trim to cut and was able to officially break in my new power miter saw that Sargie gave me for Christmas. It beat using the old miter box.

We later took a break in our labors to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage feast at St. Agnus Church in Iron River. 

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Yooper Brother Mark helped cook so Sargie and I picked up Sheri on our way and the four of us had a fantastic meal. It's one of the my favorites throughout the entire year.

I spent a couple of hours grading papers while Sargie cleaned. Later, I hung shelves and moved the stove and refrigerator into their regular places. As of Sunday night, the kitchen was coming together.

Tuesday – March 18, 2014

68 degrees/sunny/breezy

Leesville, Louisiana

The hibiscus bush in Andy's front yard is in full bloom

We touched down early last evening at the airport in Houston, Texas. The flight from Minneapolis to LaGuardia was quiet. From LaGuardia to Houston was a different story. A couple of little munchkins, ages 14 months and three years, screamed the entire time. They weren’t crying, but were simply spoiled little back-of-the-laps who had parents that kept threatening to send them to time out. (at least to the three-year-old.) Even the flight attendant finally said something to the parents. I had the answer, but no one asked me and besides, I’m sure it would have been entirely inappropriate using old-fashioned methods compared to today’s time-out type of parenting .

A mostly frozen Lake Erie taken on our way to LaGuardia

On top of that, I developed a severe case of dysentery midway through the flight and soon had a path beaten from my seat to the closest-sized restroom in the back of the plane. The only thing I can think of is that the French toast and sausage I had in Minneapolis for breakfast must have been tainted in some way. Lord I was miserable.

After taking off from LaGuardia, I managed to snap some pictures of New York City and the surrounding area.

I think this is Yankee Stadium

The Statue of Liberty in the middle

Manhattan

The Empire State Building. That's the Hudson River in the foreground

Central Park

Andy met me at the airport and we were soon on our way to Leesville, three hours distant. Other than having to stop and visit a restroom (and also purchase a bottle of Pepto Bismol) along the way, we made good time and arrived home before midnight.

Page three

We’ve been working hard today. Andy’s took one room, I’ve worked in the kitchen. At times we work together packing, sorting, and throwing away. There’s a large pile of articles bound for Goodwill, another of things Andy will keep, and a third that is a throwaway pile. We lucked out in that the trash pickup was late today and we already had the majority of throwaway items out at the curb. In the end, everything went in the back of the garbage truck.

Andy and I took a break for lunch and dined on Sonic chilidogs, something I’ve not had in years. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one and they still taste as good as they did back in the sixties.

We’ve made some great progress in our packing today and already the house is beginning to look emptier. Another few days like this and it’ll be a shell of its former self.

I’ve got papers to read and grade this evening. Other than that, there’s a bit of grocery shopping to do and no doubt, we’ll spend the rest of the evening enjoying quality daddy/son time.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road… by way of Leesville, Louisiana…

Andy on the attack with his remote control helicopter

This painting crew will NEVER make Angie's List of recommendations

March 16, 2014 – Sunday

-21 degrees/clear/calm (another record bites the dust)

Pentoga Road

Can I ever relate to this

Traditionally, the third week of March is generally the unofficial start of maple syrup season.

To have sap flow, the temperatures need to be above freezing during the daylight hours and below at night. The bigger the difference/the harder the flow. In year’s past, an average high for a “maple day” might be forty to fifty degrees, the low in the mid-teens.

It will be at least another week, possibly two or three, maybe six or eight, before any sap will be collected this season. There’s a day or two this coming week that are forecast to flirt with the upper thirties, but most don’t even approach that mark. It’s now a waiting game.

I started painting in the kitchen with a vengeance Saturday morning. The bottom half of the walls, that below the chair rails, was first. The paint covered well and I was finished by 10 AM.

This wall had to be completely mudded and sanded before any painting took place

New trim was needed to go around part of the countertops. After a quick trip to the lumberyard, I prepared to begin painting the top part of the walls.

I poured the paint into the tray and carefully rolled some onto the wall. What the heck? There were huge chunks in the paint… hard, white, chunks. I was a bit upset. No, I was really mad.

Come to find out, a large batch of base paint had gotten frozen and been ruined. I called Sargie and asked her to get another gallon and PLEASE, have them check to ensure the paint was good. It took three cans to finally find one that hadn’t been frozen. The situation was enough to make an old school teacher cuss.

I filled the rest of the day by going on my walk, carrying in wood, playing with the dog, installing a grow light in the indoor greenhouse and transplanting a few more tomatoes and peppers.

Andy and I texted back and forth, talking about who the Packers have traded and who they have acquired during this season of NFL free agency. It helps to pass the football time until next season arrives.

Sargie arrived home, donned her painting clothes, and away we went.

We finished an hour and a half later. 

Today’s going to be a busy one on Pentoga Road. I’ll begin getting ready to fly to Andy’s for a week. Wood will need to be brought in for Sargie and no doubt, once everything is moved off the dining room table, we’ll clean the house. No matter the amount of damage control, after a week of sanding drywall, dust seems to find every nook and cranny. 

It's going to be nice to move the kitchen out of the dining room

Tonight is the annual corned beef and cabbage feed at Mark and Sheri’s church. It’s a meal we never miss and the food is outstanding, the company better.

Time to get moving. After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…