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| Spring and FBR Popping Up |
I’m writing today so my battle with the
back yard tree that I wrote about yesterday didn’t tap into my acknowledged
injury proneness. It was not without adventure though. There were several
setbacks including getting the blade trapped twice, once where I had to remount
the chain on the saw but I count that as educational as I learn the new weapon,
‘er tool. I waited until my Favorite Panamanian departed because I didn’t I
need a witness/supervisor for my arboreal exercise.
 |
| Results - See Initial Cut below |
I did take appropriate safety precautions
although I’m told the eye protection goggles work better if they are placed
over your eyes instead of up on your forehead (forgot I had em). I first attempted
to cut the tree near the base where it had splintered during its fall. This
proved too dangerous as the final critical cuts were too near the dirt. I
started by cutting down some of the smaller tree that were supporting the big
one. This was fun. Cutting the big tree was less so because of the size and
weight involved.
 |
| The Final Cut |
The battle eventually devolved to
sawing two parallel cuts and then using an axe and crowbar to knock out the
intervening wood. In other words, the tree didn’t go down without a fight,
respect. After breaking my axe handle (thank God for duct tape) I reached the
point where the tree was creaking and it was obvious it was about to fall. My
plan was to have the base of the tree fall at the cut and that would cause the
top to break free from its resting place and the whole thing would be on the
ground.
 |
| The Top Wedged |
This is where the tree scored its
point because when it fell the top didn’t even budge. I threw a rope over the
top and tried to pull it off but that didn’t accomplish anything other than losing
part of the rope which I couldn’t retrieve. My wife had returned at this point
and firmly vetoed my next course of action which was to walk up the trunk and
start jumping on top part (probably a good call). I’ve contemplated my continued
plan to fell the damned thing. I’ll finish sawing off the stump ad then start working
my way up the trunk in sections until it no longer poses a threat. The benefit
being I get to use the chain saw and axe which was a much better physical
workout than I intended.
 |
| New Bike |
 |
| Out for a Spin |
In granddaughter news the FBR acquired
a new bicycle which she loves but is frustrated that she can’t ride completely on
her own yet. I mean, she’s already three years old, where’s the trust!? J She demonstrated some of that maturity
by proudly bragging that she had properly eaten her hot dog, bun and all, while
an accompanying friend failed. We’re both a little excited that I’m going down
to pick her up this weekend for a weeklong visit to Worcester. I made the joke
during our call that I could deny her nothing and Wingman told me that she has
reached a point where she now realizes that and I should be prepared. I responded
that I’d been trained by her mother many years ago.
 |
| Hot Dog Success |
My Favorite Panamanian is a little under
the weather as she fights off a persistent cough. She thinks its allergies. I
joked that she was allergic to sub-80 degree temperatures. She didn’t find that
amusing. In the least. Go figure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECURRING
CHARACTERS
BRS
- Blog Reader the Sequel
- second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog
Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA –
Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law, formerly known both as MEF – Most Excellent Fiancé & MEG –
Most Excellent Girlfriend; Wingman
– my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2
– friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt = my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since
grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to
attract women; Pittsburgh College
Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which
grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two
close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3rd musquetera
(musketeer); Buddy – AKA the Wonder
Pooch – family dog, a black lab – hates squirrels, died in 2017; Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy,
son's dog, surrogate grandchild while awaiting arrival of the BRS; PanaGals – female relatives/friends of
my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin
Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we
have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood
Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of
course); First Friday – celebrations
to mark the First Friday of the Week; Excellent
Boss – my former direct boss at work; Deckzilla
Dude – senior citizen carpenter/contractor; Voices of Inappropriate Worth - members of public who come to every
Worcester public meeting to complain, all are on public assistance along with
demeanor issues
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