Tim and Rose's home
With frost forecast and the folks away, Sargie and I covered their delicate plants Saturday afternoon.

May 30, 2020 - Saturday evening

56 degrees/clear skies/windy

Pentoga Road

Sargie and I came in early this evening so I thought I'd at least start writing tonight. 

It's been a good day. After my morning walk, I returned home to start working on the west side of the pond, landscaping and spreading gravel where piles of dirt and rocks had been piled during the pond construction.

Twenty pavers had to be relocated and the area leveled.

After the dirt was removed and leveled, landscape cloth was laid.

There was enough gravel, almost to the rock, left in the trailer to cover the cloth. 

I discovered earlier that the Ready Mix plant was closed for the weekend. I'll get another small load on Monday to finish the gravel work around the pond.

Sargie and I enjoyed a short drive this afternoon. The crisp air and low humidity made everything look picture perfect. It was beautiful, just beautiful.



I received a frost warning on the phone earlier in the afternoon. Carl the Weatherman says it probably won't happen tonight, but the National Weather Service seems to think differently. Given Carl's track record, I thought it would be prudent to be safe rather than sorry. We covered the delicate vegetables and flowers.

Since they are in Illinois, we drove over to Tim and Rose's and covered their herbs with a large frost blanket. Everything at both places is tucked in nice and snug for the next two frosty nights.

I'd ordered a very inexpensive Chinese desktop cabinet several weeks ago. When I say inexpensive, the impulse buy cost a whoppin' .79 cents with free shipping.

Honestly, I'd forgotten I'd ordered it and had no idea what the package contained when it arrived in today's mail.  Opening the package, I still wasn't completely sure what it was.

The directions were of little help as I don't speak or read Mandarin Chinese.

Thankfully, the instructions included pictures and assembly was actually fun.

Though the desktop piece is fairly worthless, it very well may be used to make a pattern for a much larger cabinet in the shop. 

I'm going to begin installing the border in the garden between the wood chips and gravel tomorrow. 

The bowl has umpteen coats of finish and has already passed Sargie's inspection, so I'll be finishing that. 

Otherwise, the world's the limit.



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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Tonight's random Alaska picture: My ride from Metlakatla Indian Community to Ketchikan, Alaska

Landscaping continues on the east side of the pond

May 30, 2020 - Saturday morning

43 degrees/clear skies/breezy

Pentoga Road

Arg, where'd all these mosquitoes come from? After a dry start to the spring and days with few biting critters, they've suddenly appeared in swarms since the last rain. Swatting at them outside is one thing, but they have a knack for following a person into the house.

I don't like that.

No, I don't like that at all.

Friday dawned cloudy, damp, and chilly, a great time to spend in the shop. After my walk, I finished sanding the bowl already mounted on the lathe and began applying the umpteen coats of finish required to make it, as Sargie says,"shiny".

The wood is spalted birch and very porous. The first several coats soak into the wood and it's only after multiple applications that it begins to shine. 

I'd apply a light coat yesterday, go about my business elsewhere, then return an hour or two later to wipe on another. I think the last birch bowl required seventeen coats before it was finished. Appears this one will need the same.



I've grown more accustomed to my new lathe and think I'm ready to expand into larger and harder wood. I keep reminding myself to take baby steps, something at which I've never excelled. I've always been an all in or all out kind of guy and I'm finding this baby step thing difficult.

Still, Rome wasn't conquered in a day. Neither will the learning process be on this new lathe.

Sargie and I got her Coke then made our way to the Ready Mix plant for a load of tailings, finely crushed gravel that when packed, becomes almost like concrete.



The east side of the pond has never been landscaped since it was dug and during the wet season, was avoided at all costs. Sargie has this thing about tracking mud into the house and has no sense of humor whatsoever regarding muddy shoe prints on the floors.



The first chore was to remove any rocks and make the path so it would blend in with the slope of the pond. I've noticed it's not nearly as much fun to crawl on my hands as knees as it was sixty five years ago. 

A layer of landscape cloth was eventually laid over the top.



It was time for the fun work to begin. The total weight of the gravel was over 2,400 pounds at the plant. It took more than a few shovel's full to unload the trailer.

Sargie had been busy doing washing and household chores, but came out to assist with the shoveling and raking.



Trip after trip after trip after trip was made and eventually, the path and areas around the garden house were covered.

 It was a very tired Sargie M and Tommy P who took showers late Friday afternoon and plopped down for the evening. 

Sargie has the yard looking so nice. With her care, coupled with the recent rains, the front and side yards are beginning to look more like a golf course than a lawn surrounding a country home.

 The flower boxes, planted less than a week ago, are beginning to show signs of life. Give them another month and all should be filled with color.

 On today's agenda: there are still two areas in the garden/pond area that require landscaping and gravel. 

Pavers will eventually be nestled into the gravel, but time and budget (and my sore back muscles) dictate those will have to wait for another summer.

Ready Mix is closed today, so I'll complete the shovel work then finish cleaning out the trailer of what little gravel remains. I'll have to wait until Monday for another load to complete this year's gravel phase of the project.

I hope to spread more wood chips this afternoon and install the borders that separate the chips from the gravel. 

Then there's the multiple applications of finish to apply to the bowl. 

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture: Where the UP meets Alaska. Did I REALLY let him captain my boat? Yooper Brother Mark navigating the waters of SE Alaska.
Mark and his dad, "Grandpa," had a wonderful week together in Sitka.

Grandson, Wyatt, takes in some air while mountain biking

May 29, 2020 - Friday morning

47 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

I can't exactly say I'm going to miss the heat and humidity of the past few days. The warmth we'll take, but you who live in the south can keep your humidity. 

It was getting so bad these past few days that I began to talk with a southern Mississippi accent and had the urge to walk barefoot, a la Mississippi Brother Garry. 

Now that's when you KNOW it's hot and humid.

Today's upload has a few family pictures. Having ten grandchildren, it's a grandfather's duty to post some every now and then. Neither Sargie or I are into social media, but the sons are really good about sending a few photos our way.

Josh's kids are into outdoor sports and activities. Though the munchkins have their electronics, I'm proud of Josh that he's ensured they have other interests.

I always assumed that it would be one of the grandsons that made the NFL and played for the Packers, thus ensuring Yooper Brother Mark and I lifetime season tickets. It appears Ellie has potential to be first female punter in the NFL. Check out this spiral punt she kicks high in the sky.

I'm thinking that it may be awhile before the much younger Cody Bear auditions for the men's division of Roller Derby.

Matt and Jessica just bought a new (to them) home in Stratham, New Hampshire. 

Located on over an acre of ground, it's big enough for their three munchkins to live, run, and play.

The family has survived the stay at home restrictions, but Matt and Jessica have decided it's easier to simply keep Emerson, Bennet, and Wes, in a box until they can either return to school or are old enough to attend.

They look abused, don't they?

Thursday was pretty much a non event day. With light rain falling, I spent much of the morning in the shop working on a new bowl.

I'm still learning the ins and outs of this new lathe. It's like going from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Ferrari in one giant leap and sometimes, there's more power than I realize. It's certainly not the mini lathe that I learned on.

The wood was eventually hollowed and I think I like what I'm seeing. The piece is spalted, somewhat punky, and has some natural pits, all that, if turned correctly, will contribute to the beauty of the bowl once it's finished.

Problem is, I'm so inexperienced that the final outcome is a crap shoot. I've learned when it comes to woodworking, especially turning, to never count my chickens before they hatch... or at least until the bowl is finished.

We loaded Hambone into the car mid afternoon and took off for Iron Mountain. It sure seemed quiet around here last evening, but was nice viewing television programs designed for big people. 

We enjoyed World of Dance. Sargie and I, both, agree that we need to hone our wedding reception dance skills before entering the world wide competition.

Like I said, last night was much quieter on Pentoga Road

 Sargie discovered a new bramble at the edge of the woods while mowing the day before yesterday. I was fairly certain it was a wild blackberry bush, but I sent pictures to and called my friend, Rose, for confirmation.

Wild blackberry bushes can be bitter sweet. They can easily take over an area and though not classified as invasive, present a challenge to keep contained.

On the other hand, Sargie and I love our berries and fruit and blackberries are one of our favorites.

What to do. What to do.

We'll let these bear fruit and see how large and flavorful the berries really are. If they are worthwhile, then I'll make a plan to contain them in that area. If the bushes fail to produce, they'll go away.  

Decisions, decisions. If only you had my life, you'd understand.

I'm heading out the door fairly shortly for my morning walk. After, I'll take the trailer to town for a load of gravel to finish the walk around the far side of the pond and garden house. I just need to remember to take my time and not unload it all at once.

I thought I tore a pectoral muscle last week while unloading top soil that gave me pause to think I was ailing from one of the following:

a) heart attack 

b) suffering from stage four lung cancer 

c) a galloping case of pleurisy

d) angina

e) a torn muscle

f) none of the above

g) letters a and b

h) some of the above

i) all the above

Becoming an instant MD after perusing the internet and with the pain now gone, I've come to the conclusion I simply strained a few chest muscles by lifting too many shovels filled with heavy soil too many times. The top soil was already chest high in the trailer as I stood at ground level shoveling dirt into the wheel barrow. All the strain was on my upper body, mostly my arms and chest.

Okay, it's time to strap on the hikers and put a few miles under these old feet.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture:
Sundown in the arctic

As the Andrew Sisters crooned,
"I'll be with you, in apple blossom time."

May 28, 2020 - Thursday morning

65 degrees/cloudy/light rain

Pentoga Road

As a young boy, I loved the Andrew Sisters. Mom and Dad had an Andrew Sisters record album featuring the trio and I knew every word to every song. Apple Blossom Time was and still remain's one of my favorite classics.

 In high school, I played every weekend in a professional dance band, a nine piece studio-type orchestra, and enjoyed playing the song as much as listening to it. 

A side note: I loved the Chordette's, Mr. Sandman, almost as much. In fact, Jambo and I were singing the song together while fishing this past week.

Yeah, I know, two old sops, put together in a small fishing boat, each of us reliving days of long ago in song. 

Just call us Pentoga Road's grumpy old men.

Page Two:

So, the apple trees are in blossom, spring/summer has arrived, and Sargie, Hambone, and Pawpaw, were a busy crew on Wednesday.

I went to the shop after my early morning walk to finish the handle for the froe.

I think the limb from the dead apple tree will work just fine. 

The rest of the day was spent in the yard, either in the pond and/or garden or in Sargie's case, mowing.

Page Three:

For whatever reason, I've kept a grassy strip on the far end of the garden and honestly, it's been a pain. It's difficult to get the push mower through the rows and once the pumpkins and/or squash begin to vine, mowing became impossible.

Hambone and I fixed that problem yesterday. I mowed the grass short, then we covered it with landscape cloth, and finally, spread new wood chips on top of that.



Having enough chips to refresh the rows in the garden is not a problem. We have several mountainous piles left from the spring clean up just three weeks ago. Grady and I hauled, dumped, raked, and spread.

It was hot and humid with temperatures in the low 80's. 

I had to laugh. 

About every half an hour, Hambone would say, "Pawpaw, I'm getting really really hot. Don't you think we should go in the pond?"

He used that line a dozen times yesterday and it worked each and every time. We'd talk as we worked then strip off our clothes and dive in the cool water. After a few minutes, we'd climb out, get dressed, and go back to work.

It's not all work and no play in the garden. When Hambone grew tired of spreading wood chips, he'd grab a net and walk around the pond looking for "netable" (<- I know Miss Jody, no such word) items. Errant algae, an occasional goldfish, a rock, a butterfly winging overhead... almost anything is fair game to a six year old boy holding a long handled net.

Grandma Sargie climbed from her riding mower to look over our work and gave us her seal of approval. 

Sargie had mown nonstop for several hours. I told the girl I'd finish the rough part of the lawn, the newer areas that involves navigating around trees, uneven ground, and an occasional rock.

The more difficult areas were cut alone, but once I reached the shoulders, my shadow, who'd been patiently waiting alongside the road, eagerly joined me.

Thanks to Grandma Sargie, the Superintendent of Pentoga Lawns and Everything Pretty, the yard and surrounding areas look beautiful. 

The bare areas are from work done earlier this spring, removing the old apple tree, digging a boulder from the ground, or filling in low places. Sown heavily with grass seed, coupled with ample rain, it shouldn't be long before they blend in with the rest of the lawn.

Hambone had his last Zoom class last night of the school year. 

For whatever reason, the teacher could hear and see Grady, but we only got the audio. Still, Hambone remained attentive and actively participated.

We occasionally remind Hambone that in our house, everything on his plate must be eaten, including the crusts on his sandwiches. If he's too full to eat all his meal, then he's certainly unable to have desert or any between meal snacks.

The boy has progressed from being a picky eater to proudly showing off his clean plate after every meal. Last night's newest culinary delight was Grandma Sargie's slow cooker chicken breast and rice with fresh asparagus on the side. Hambone sat up and ate every bit. As a reward, we enjoyed ice cream for desert and true to his new eating habits, not a bit remained when he was finished.

Ah, Hambone. Though we pretended not to notice, the boy was oblivious to Sargie's and my chuckles as he worked hard to get every last drop.

We're going to head over to Iron Mountain today and deliver Hambone back to Mommy and Daddy. While in town, we'll stop by the True Value Hardware to take advantage of their annual "Buy one/get one free" paint sale. 

Our home is exactly one hundred years old this year and I think the least we could do to celebrate is give the old house a new coat of paint.

Oh darn. Oh gosh. It's raining. I guess I'll have to spend my early morning hours playing in the shop. 

Sometimes life can be difficult, but I'll suffer through.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture: That's me after a day of ice fishing in the arctic. Sit out in -30 degree temperatures with a twenty mph wind and see how pretty you look.

Let 'er rain
After a dry spring, we'll take every drop

May 27, 2020 - Wednesday morning

67 degrees/partly cloudy/breezy

Pentoga Road

Carl says this is going to be our last eighty degree day for a while. I see tomorrow's high reaches 70, then we're back in the 50's for a few days. No matter, this spell of hot, humid, and wet, weather has really kick started the garden. Some seeds are germinating so fast that it sounds like God is making a batch of popcorn in the garden.

OK, that's a lie, but it was there for free.

Way off the subject here, but before I forget:

I was asked how I select the Alaska random picture of the day. Easy. I copy and paste a fistful of them from one of my external hard drives. None are labeled. They are only known by digital names, i.e. 1234.jpg. I simply let the computer pick one each day and whatever is selected is what makes the blog. 

Hambone and I took off for the garden Tuesday morning while Sargie attended a funeral. Hot? Lord, it was hot.

A "bug bobber." Grady found that inside a swollen stem of a weed lives a small white worm. When I was a boy, Dad and I used to gather those and use the worm for ice fishing bait.

 While Hambone was doing his thing around the pond (and let's face it, at six years of age, when there's a pond involved, there are always things to do) I began moving small piles of dirt and rocks left over from digging the pond.

Two large groups of peonies were moved from in front of the garden to alongside the garden house.

Larry the Heavy Equipment Guy will be here in June to remove the boulders and rocks between the garden and road. We didn't want the peonies to be destroyed.

Hot? Man oh man, it was hot and humid. Hambone and I had to take frequent breaks and jump in the water to cool off. 

While digging the pond last year, I often questioned my sanity, if all the labor, time, and money spent digging a large hole was worthwhile.

Seeing Hambone splash and play and so busy both in and around the water, the answer became clear. It was all worth it, each and every minute.

The storms moved in and with them, the much needed rain. Sargie and Hambone were occupied in the kitchen, making cherry pie/bars. Grady had another lesson in measuring and even learned how to operate a handheld mixer.

I took the opportunity to enjoy some solitary big boy time and sneaked out to the shop with the new air purifier that had been delivered.

It took awhile, but the heavy unit was finally suspended from the ceiling. I hung it several feet in back of the lathe where most the sanding in the shop occurs.

I ran in the house for something or the other and found Hambone vacuuming the floors. Grandma Sargie was smiling from ear to ear. She said that she'd been running the sweeper when Grady walked up from behind and took over. 

Seeing how clean the rug was, I'd say he did an excellent job!

Back out in the shop, I searched for a suitable piece of wood from which to make a handle for the froe that Mississippi Brother Garry gave me.

Used to make fine splits in wood, the froe is a very old tool not commonly seen anymore.

I thought I'd turn a piece of hickory to use as a handle, but with rain pouring down and the hickory stored down by the storage container, I opted for a much closer limb from the dead apple tree that was removed a week ago.

There's still a bit of turning left for the handle to fit before the froe is ready to use.

I also carried a large burl into the shop between rain showers. Ron had given it to me last weekend while we were attending the Memorial Day family gathering.

Today is to be a carbon copy of Tuesday in the weather department, hot and humid in the morning, rain and storms this afternoon. I'm heading out the door pretty quickly for my morning walk then will begin laying down edging between the gravel and wood chips in the garden. I can picture myself standing in front of the lathe this afternoon if the promised storms arrive.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Today's random Alaska picture: the entire student population of the Thorne Bay (K-12) School. I was leading an all school singalong and we were waiting for the remainder of the classes to arrive.

Thorne Bay is located on the very remote Prince of Wales Island in SE Alaska and attainable by only boat or float plane.

One of the best students during my entire forty two year teaching career is currently the principal. Joanna's made her old professor very proud indeed.