Timberrrrrrr!!!

Yes. We cut down some trees. Live trees. I hate having to explain it to people because I feel a bit guilty that we cut down some trees that were having a perfectly jolly time growing in our backyard. They weren't diseased. Frankly--and this may be size-ist of me--they were too tall. And a wee bit too close to our small house for comfort. AND they were dirty, dropping little nasty leaves all over everything. AND the tallest, oldest one had been hit by lightening already. Actually, you probably know all of this, because it's old news. As of January 1, 2009 (and, no, it wasn't a New Year's resolution) our yard is three trees less in population. Scroll down if you want to see pictures of this impressive adventure. Many thanks to Dave N. without whose expertise we would have had to shell out thousands of $$$ to some tree-cutting company.

DAY ONE, 01.01.09:

The crew surveys the job . . .

Setting up the fall.

A little tug . . .

First one down! (not quite that simple
--rather nerve-wracking, actually)

After a few more hours and lots more praying,
Big Mama falls. David counted 60-some rings.

DAY TWO, 01.03.09

Dave and Jason come to help
begin the huge task of clean-up.

DAY THREE, 01.04.09:

Other friends come to cut up firewood they'll
use in 2011. Hey, it pays to plan ahead because
it's free now! Thanks for taking it off our hands!

And it's now January 29 and several small piles of wood plus about a third of Big Mama still lounge in the backyard. They oversaw the newest project--a fantastic shed put up by Our Community Works (an outgrowth of Our Community Place). Thanks OCW!

Our shed in progress (it's actually already
finished, except for priming and painting).