– So Much More –

I like the two photos below so much more than the two taken from the same locations as shown in my entry of 02/02/11.

Three days and three nights with above freezing temperatures will do it.

Yesterday morning when I first went outside there was nine inches of snow bordering the walk.

In mid to late January we had several days of very high winds. In some areas of Chicago wind gusts exceeded 70 mph.

Youngest BIL had a large red oak come down. It was hung up in another tree. He had called several tree and landscaping services for prices for removal of the fallen tree. Some didn’t even want to touch it. Others quoted prices that YBIL thought were too high.

Finally he asked my Middle Son if he would take it down. MS took a look at it and said he would take it down but he would take the wood. YBIL agreed.

On 02_12_11 MS and Oldest Grandson and Oldest Son arrived with chainsaws and the backhoe.

I should have taken the camera with me down the hill to YBIL’s place but didn’t

My contribution consisted mainly of dragging some of the light stuff to the “brush pile” and observing.

I did a lot of observing.

Hey! As it says on one of my coffee mugs

– – – – – – if you’re pushing 70 – – – – – –

that’s exercise enough!

The bucket on the backhoe was filled a few times with what could easily be cut into fireplace lengths.

Then the main trunk was sectioned once it was cut free from an adjacent tree. Everything was hauled up behind the garage/clubhouse with the backhoe. The main trunk was at least thirty feet high from the ground to first big branch. . It was cut into five pieces that would just fit into the bucket of the backhoe.

I think that Middle Son should rent a bigger chain saw. The lowest and largest section is 35 and a half inches at its widest point. Those last five pieces are going to have to be cut to fireplace length. Then they will have to be split. That is going to be a real chore.

There is a break of six days between the first two and the following photos. Was to carry in groceries or something.

You can see that the distance between the last two sections is different in the second and third photo. I believe that it rolled when the snow melted. I’m glad my toes weren’t in the way

Then we have a few of the feline brigade that is still camping out in the barn. I think their eyes tell the story that they are not very comfortable with me being near by. I had just put some food out for them.