We not only built the planned eight-foot section of wall, but also another where the window will fit.

Started on Wednesday evening for:

July 24, 2014 - Thursday

degrees/clear/calm

Pentoga Road

I'm so tired tonight I could fall asleep here in my recliner and not move until morning. I thought I'd start writing this evening while waiting for Sargie to get ready for bed as she works early on Thursday and I want to ride five miles with her and walk back home.

Mom and I wasted little time Wednesday morning measuring, cutting, then laying out the planned eight-foot wall. Using another section as a pattern that Yooper Brother Mark had constructed, we had the wall finished and in place well before noon.

I was proud of it... no I was darn proud. With Mom looking over my shoulder and spending a goodly amount of time reading the tape measure and/or correcting my mistakes from misreading the tape measure, we roared right along. It was lunch time, but first, I wanted to send a picture to Yooper Brother Mark of our accomplishments.

He called soon after congratulating me and asked if I was up for tackling the most difficult section, that where the window will be installed. I himmed and hawed and he asked if I was comfortable trying to build it. That's all it took. I can do ANYTHING if I set my mind to it. I replied that building the wall was a go, especially using Mom's eyes.

As with any construction I do, it was three steps forward, two-and-a-half backward. I read the tape measure wrong, made wrong marks, nailed the right boards on the wrong marks, nailed the wrong boards on the right marks, multiplied and divided incorrectly, and did about everything else wrong. But with Mom's help, we eventually sorted it all out and made progress. Almost five hours after we'd started, that section of the wall was completed.

I may not be able to build worth a poop, but I'll brag on my estimating capabilities. I had purchased thirty 2x4's prior to starting the walls. I used the last stick, right down to the last scrap, as I fastened the final stud and stood the wall upright. Talk about luck... or is it uncanny skill? 

Sargie didn't get home until almost 9:30 last night. She had a quick bite to eat and then it was bedtime for all of us.

Sargie works early today, so she's up and at 'em. Thankfully, she should be home early this evening.

I took time out after lunch to build and mount a new squirrel trap platform.

I'm going to walk my five miles this morning then go to the lumber yard to purchase some more 2x4's. There's still three feet of wall to build and later, the door on one end to frame. I'm also hoping to get in some quality backhoe time today. I'd like to get the side yard finished sooner rather than later.

I better get busy; my cup is empty and that coffee isn't going to drink itself. But then, are we surprised? After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Ingredients, most from the garden, for kid-tested, mother-approved, delicious, nutritious, vegetable shakes!

July 23, 2013 - Wednesday
52 degrees/clear/breezy
Pentoga Road

That was one front containing rain that got away from us. Darn it, anyway. We needed the moisture and all the storms went to the north yesterday. We'll keep our fingers crossed that we get the next forecasted rain this coming weekend.

Tuesday was the day of the vegetable shake... or I guess some people call them "smoothies." After hearing several of our friends expound how wonderfully delicious smoothes are, Sargie purchased a juicer sometime ago and we decided that no vegetable would go to waste this year. Whatever we couldn't eat or give away from the garden, we'd juice into a healthy and nutritious beverage, freeze it, and enjoy the benefits of our garden all winter long.

It took half an hour to figure out how to put the thing together

I dumped in peas, a green tomato or two, broccoli, peppers, lettuce, zucchini, beets and kohlrabi. If it grew, it got juiced.



The brew was ready and honestly, looked like a raspberry shake. Mmm.

I think Mom knows something we don't

I poured three glasses, one for Mom, another for Sargie, and an especially full one for me. Bottoms up...

How about a green one?

I've had used motor oil drip onto my face and into my mouth that tasted better than what came out of that juicer. We spent the rest of the morning experimenting and found carrots, laced with lots of honey and shovelfuls of almonds taste the best. 

I froze it all in hopes of taking a daily gulp all winter long, but I'm not going to like it. My next step? Maybe I ought to read the rather lengthy recipe book that came with the machine. 

Not to quit anything, I experimented more last evening and FINALLY found the right recipe. If one takes milk, vanilla ice cream, and adds a handful of Oreo cookies, the beverage comes out downright tasty. Now there's one I wouldn't mind chugging all winter long!

I took the time to blanche several heads of broccoli and froze those to enjoy this winter.

Mom and I spent some time together as she learned the intricacies of her new computer. She's conquered the email program and is proving adept at googledocs and sheets. There's no doubt in my mind that Mom will have conquered the digital world of the Chromebook before she leaves the UP.

I spent time on the backhoe Tuesday afternoon and got quite a good-sized chunk of side yard finished. It's coming... slowly, but surely.

We grilled kabobs last night for supper. Now there was a success! Each contained big chunks of chicken, pineapple, mushrooms, peppers, and shrimp.





Today should see me building an eight-foot section of wall for the storage unit by copying one that Brother Yooper Mark has already constructed. After, we'll have one section to build that will contain the window for ventilation and soon be ready for the rafters.

Sargie's back to work today and closes tonight. Mom will no doubt supervise my activities, play with her computer, and I notice she often has her nose stuck in a good book. It looks to be a good day.

I hear Mom moving around upstairs and it will soon be time to wake Sargie for the day. Time for a cup of coffee and listen to the news. After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The best Grandpa picture I've ever seen.
Mississippi Brother Garry and his grandson, Evan. Evan had been helping his grandpa do some heavy landscaping. It appears the wrong person is wearing the hero shirt. 

July 22, 2014 - Tuesday
71 degrees/cloudy/calm
Pentoga Road

That picture above says more than a thousand words. I received it a few days ago after Garry and Jody had several huge trees removed from their Laurel, Mississippi, yard. Living just down the road, Evan, his brother, and sister, are at Grandma and Grandpa's almost daily. 

Monday saw us on the road before 8 AM heading towards Green Bay. The day was sunny, warm, and perfect for a road trip.





We had a lot of fun and there weren't many stores where we didn't stop. 



Mom got a new computer at Best Buy, a Chromebook, and so far, I'm really impressed. It's a simple, no-nonsense, machine that seems to be perfect for the person who only needs a computer to browse the internet or check email. I especially like the solid state hard drive. There are no whirling and clicking parts and it doesn't get hot. Best of all, it doesn't get viruses. Perfect.

While Sargie checked her blood pressure at Sam's Club, Mom decided it was time for a rest and massage in a nearby recliner

We arrived home around 6 last night and after taking Brutus to the lake, simply flopped for the rest of the evening and watched television. The evening was hot and humid, but it finally cooled off after dark.



Sargie's off today. We have no plans which means it's going to be a lazy day on Pentoga Road. With thunderstorms and rain in the forecast, it should be a perfect one to read and grade assignments.

Lambeau Field

But then, are we surprised? After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road... 

Well, okay, maybe Mom wasn't the ONLY person who took advantage of the vibrating recliner.

July 21, 2014 - Monday
66 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy
Pentoga Road

We're on our way to Green Bay in a bit, so I'll let the pictures of yesterday's baptism of Grady tell the story. It was a wonderful day filled with the love of God, love of family, especially our children, and of course, love of food!

Auntie Nancy in her newest catalogue/model pose. I think I'll contact JC Penny in the next few days... maybe my man and their man can get together and do lunch; you know, get a deal worked out.

The gathering began to break up around two Sunday afternoon and we arrived home around 4 PM. Sargie changed and was soon on the riding mower. I used the small trim mower to cut in the places she couldn't reach.

As mentioned above, we're heading to Green Bay this morning for a day of shopping. Mom wants to look at computers, Sargie will browse the clearance tables, and as for me... well, I'm along for the ride.

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



So are the tales from Pentoga Road...