Sitting on a slide in the sunshine, snuggled with a warm, furry, bunny, on a beautiful Maine fall day. It's tough, but someone has to be a bunny snuggler.

October 21, 2015 - Wednesday morning

50 degrees/cloudy/calm winds

North Waterboro, Maine

It's been a long night. Seems little Emerson was sick after we left Matt's on Sunday. I guess she was afraid we'd forget her as she sent along her germs. Both Luke and I have been frequent visitors to the reading room and I awakened at 2 this morning with a sore throat. It's since moved into my head. I never did get back to sleep and finally gave up trying at 4 AM.

After seeing Coleman off to school on Tuesday, Luke and I traveled to South Portland (by way of Dunkin' Donuts) where he purchased some trim at Home Depot. We did a bit of window shopping before continuing on to Harbor Freight for some more man-shopping. Since a lathe wouldn't fit in my carry on bag for the trip home, I contented myself by purchasing six tips for my wire feed welder.

It was onto a furniture store. Luke wanted to price futons for the new den. I scoped out double recliners. Sargie and I have decided to forgo our individual recliners in favor of a large one that is big enough to seat both of us. On cold, winter, evenings, we usually end up crammed into my oversized recliner, blankie over us, watching television. The downside occurs when I want to get up and find my right leg is numb, sound asleep, due to lack of circulation. There was one instance last winter when I was tempted to chew it off so I might escape the confines of the recliner. A double recliner is definitely in our future.

We made our way to Cabelas, but didn't spend much time there. Everything is too expensive, far more than I can usually afford. My fishing tackle and other outdoor goodies purchased from the usual discount big box stores works just fine. I don't need trendy brand names to be happy.

Last but not least, we stopped at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet for lunch. It's become a yearly tradition, our Lukie/Daddy Chinese feed fest at that particular restaurant. They didn't make any money off of us yesterday.

Luke was feeling poorly by the time we arrived home, so we put any projects on hold. We both took naps in the afternoon and later, went outside to enjoy the nice day.

Tuesday's only other outing was taking Coleman to football practice. 

It was there that my insides decided to act out along with Luke's. One porta potty, two desperate guys. In the end, everything came out just fine.

We talked with Sargie last night for a bit. She and Brutus are doing fine and since she was off Tuesday, enjoyed a beautiful, sunny, UP day. Sargie's back to work this morning.

I know one of the first things on our agenda this morning will be finding a drug store so I can begin taking something to fight the effects of this bug. I don't really want to take it home to Sargie on Friday.

The rest of the day's activities depend on how Luke feels. Finish the den floor? Put up the trim? Lay on the couch and sleep? Who knows?

Well, there's one thing I know and that is a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Time for School
We walk Coleman down the gravel road to the bus stop every morning

October 20, 2015 - Tuesday afternoon

56 degrees/sunny/breezy

North Waterboro, Maine

Luke and I have managed to keep busy in the past twenty-four hours. Our mornings begin by walking Coleman to the bus. It's a social group of adults that gathers at the corner, some moms and Luke. Each person is sipping coffee and once the kidlings are seated on the bus and all the waves and warnings of "be good" are given, everyone walks back to their individual houses to head off to work or otherwise, begin the day.

Luke and I hopped in the truck and made our way to a country Dunkin' Donut for a bagel each. We later drove on back roads for over an hour enjoying the scenery and catching up on news from this past year.

The colors that we enjoyed in the UP for the past month are just beginning to appear in southern Maine.

Luke has been working on remodeling the playroom. His vision for the space is to make it into a den.

We spent the rest of the day laying laminate flooring. Actually, Luke did. I was the supervisor, usual gofer, and sometimes go-to guy. 

It took longer to prepare the floor than to actually lay the laminate.

Once we established a pattern and routine, the floor progressed rapidly.

Luke worked well into last evening and has just the threshold to finish. After, he'll install the trim and the room will be finished.

Abigail kept her grandpa company last night by sitting alongside on the couch and watching Dancing With the Stars. There aren't too many middle school girls that I know of who would be happy to watch a dance show with an old man. She's a sweetheart.

Luke and I had a great day today, but that's for a later log. I want to get yesterday's on before I get too far behind.

It's a busy time in Waterboro, Maine, these days. Writing time is at a premium. After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The view from the kitchen window. The Little Ossippe River flows through Luke and Melinda's back yard.

Coleman in action

October 19, 2019 - Monday morning

19 degrees/clear/calm 

North Waterboro, Maine

Again, I find myself short of time and long on ambition, mostly talking with Luke, sipping coffee, and together, solving the problems of the world. So far, no one seems to be listening to us. My life story.

Luke and King Snake, one of his many rabbits

Sunday was a good one. Josh and kidlings left Matt's mid morning bound for Connecticut.

 Andy headed the opposite direction into northern Maine. I kissed Jessica and Emerson goodbye prior to Matt and I leaving New Hampshire for southern Maine so we could watch Coleman play football and Matt and Luke could do a prisoner exchange.

It was cold at the game, plenty cold. I figure it's God's way of punishing the good people of southern Maine for actually having pee wee football games on the Sabbath. I guess in these parts of the country, football comes before church and Baby Jesus. If it weren't so sad, it would be funny.

Matt, Melinda, and Luke (all standing)

It was a close game where the Mustangs and Cubs from Gorham, Maine, played to a 0 to 0 tie. Coleman's team, the Mustangs, are 5-0-1 for the season. Coleman starts as right guard and isn't afraid to punish much larger defensive linemen using his intimidating 75 lbs of future Green Bay Packer bulk.

Coleman is #22

Oh yes, the Mustangs even have their own 3rd grade cheerleading squad.

We were all proud of Coleman and at the end of the game, he was happy to come home, turn back into a normal 3rd grade boy, and leave his warrior trappings on the field.

I followed Luke around as he did his rabbit and chicken chores last night.

Not unlike his father, he always has several projects going at one time. 

He recently built onto his chicken coop and rabbit hutches and sometime this week, we are going to move yet another chicken coop.

This little rabbit is only a couple of days old

Luke is also remodeling a spare bedroom and making it into a den. He applied the last coat of paint last night and we are getting ready to lay flooring today.

Before we know it, today will be over and Tuesday will be on the horizon. It's a busy and fun time in these parts of Maine; visiting, playing, doing projects, talking, and laughing. But then, are we surprised?

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

A very proud Grandpa

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The Annual Pennington Grandbaby Birthday Party

October 17, 2015 - Saturday night

Stratham, New Hampshire

Few words are needed to accompany the pictures taken yesterday and today. Andy met me at the Portland, Maine, Airport late Friday night, after which we drove to Matt and Jessica's in Windham.

Coming in to Atlanta, Georgia, on my way to Portland, on Friday afternoon

Our time today has been wonderful. Anytime we can get my four sons and grandchildren under one roof, it's time to celebrate.

Granddaughter Emerson giving Grandpa early morning hugs and kisses

Matt, Andy, and I went birthday present shopping

Abigail helping to decorate for the party

Jessica helping to prepare the presents

Wyatt and Josh

Andy found a four-wheeler to ride

Josh and Jessica

Melinda

A continual ping pong tournament went on for several hours; the winner stays in.

Abigail and Luke

Watching the Cub/Mets playoff game

It's been a great day full of laughter and love. Andy will head north to Caribou, Maine, tomorrow morning. Matt and I will go to Coleman's football game then I'll go home with Luke and stay with them the rest of the week. Luke promises that we'll be doing "guy stuff" each day.

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

Ellie and Hattie the dog

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

The Pennington Boys
Josh, Matt, Andy, and Luke