No More Lollygagging

Though the weather doesn't suit me I have to work.  That's a self-appointed half to not a required have to. It was only 94F when I came in.  I am ashamed.

I have bored you with all my tree clipping, snake finding, brush pile building for weeks.  I know you are tired of it but so am I.  The last few feet remain in my yard and then on to Marcy's outbuildings, flowerbeds, fence clearing, and on and on.

Before

during as Lil keeps her snake eyes on

and after.

Another six feet on the side that faces the road and I will be through!  Back where I began.  As badly as we need rain I am glad I was able to complete all this making it easier to mow closely with less trimming.  Peeking around the corner it doesn't look too bad.  Will knock that out in no time but there are two stumps on this side that are barring all attempts at elimination.

Afterword:  Finished, done, complete, wrapped up in this yard...On to the next.

Solving Problems

 Chestnut tree almost on power line

and a bird poop cherry allowed to grow too tall

Sick, weak and unwanted limbs sawed or pruned

Much progress

See the tongs?  Wood is stacked. 

Small debris added to our ever growing pile. 

Holding the tree with the tractor bucket so it will fall correctly.

Too many things to hit if it fell wrong.

Timber!  

Doesn't look big but this was the tree by the power line.

Clean up continues.

We make walking sticks and vine wreaths for the shop.

The queen of distraction!

I'm not sure I will survive.

A Snake Story with No Pictures!

I have been busting my b, uh, buns in this hundred degree heat because I thought I had to complete a project (pictures at a later date).

I asked Hubby how long the section I was working on was.  He said, Fifty feet.  I said, Don't tell me I have almost killed myself for only fifty feet of progress!  He grinned, Closer to fifty yards so that was better...150 feet sounds like I did something.

I did it with a reciprocating saw, clippers, pruners, wire cutters, and a hammer.  And believe me when I say, It was HARD work.

Today Hubby got the push mower started again and I was thrilled.  I don't think anyone grinned while mowing as much as I did today.  When you been folded up with clippers for a week, that lawn mower looked good, no, GREAT.

So I'm push mowing all the parts Hubby can't reach on the riding mower.  Since the weed eater is still at the mechanical hospital, the push mower beat clippers hands down.

I pushing and grinning.  I am delighted how much faster this is than clippers so I leave my area I have been working on and expand my power range.  Around the propane tank, under the swing set, around the plum trees.  I am on fire!  Working and sweating but loving it.  Sooo, then I decide to mow around the old house.

I'm screaming snake (less than a foot from me) which no one can hear over the lawn mower. My frantic jumping and waving my arms got Hubby's attention.  Six dogs and not one of them saw this snake.  Copperhead!!  Then they were all there, Hubby with gun, dogs ready to kill a snake.  Every one was too slow.  Now we know there's a Copperhead under the old house.

Wonderful.

So all I see around the entirety of our yard and Marcy's are snake arbors!  I push and mow places that had not been trimmed.  Hubby tried to stop me but I was on a mission.  Snake arbors, be gone!

Hubby brought me a drink, which I guzzled, and continued to mow.  I said, I'm not stopping til I run outta gas.  And I didn't.  Emptied that tank.

The benefits are my Tylenol and ibuprofen had kicked in, less grass to mow, sinuses wide open and I got a sauna/sweat lodge work out.

The question will be, will I be able move tomorrow?  And where will that snake be?  Lil was still laying under the edge of the house waiting so hopefully she will eliminate my problem tonight.

I think of all the evenings I go out barefooted to feed the dogs and I shiver a little. Was he laying in wait for me?  I think all the food bowls will be on the porch tonight!

And that was my afternoon.  How was yours?

Obsessed or Possessed...

Help!  I can't stop.

The fig won the draw

along with the plum trees

and a few other sprouts.

Plants sprouting every where.

I guess you're wondering what is wrong with me.

Remember last year Hubby almost died?

I didn't do much trimming then.

Well, I'm playing catch up.

The Lady Bug posed.

Found a vacant nest from last year

and have baby figs!

Does it look like I did any thing?

Fig straight  ahead, plums to the left,

minus the dead limbs and stray trees.

The tools wait for another job.

Catching Up

Canna replanted.

Edge of smoke house cleared. 

Lilies like their new home.

Timber!  The light pole goes down,

repurposed for a fence anchor post.

Dirt cellar cleared of leaves and debris.

Work continues at the shop.

A solar lamp catches me out after dark.

Roses and Chain Saws...

Roses and skull

Trim and recharge with caffeine 

Another way to trim limbs you can't reach.

We cut and piled trees and branches until there was not a dry rag on us which did not take long in this weather.  Five useless trees too close to the house and miscellaneous limbs have joined a growing pile.

As TM rested I did some more digging, testing and digging and had a dry (wet) run before I put things in place permanently.

 I did a water test 

as the dogs played.

Trimming The Poop Trees...

You know the ones I'm talking about.  The trees and bushes that grow as birds plant them in their own little micro environment.  Moisture, fertilizer and seed...how can these fail to grow??  Of course they're always dropped where they aren't needed and where it's almost impossible for them to be transplanted.

Here is a huge Black Walnut tree.  That's all I need there but it doesn't always work that way.  Been behind on yard work with life kinda getting in the way.  This is the day I decided to do ONE thing.

The birds land in the tree and plant mulberries, briers, blackberry, and wild hedge...none of which I want here.

My option?  Chop, chop!

Buckets of sweat later...

one Black Walnut tree remains.

Lizzy asks,  Are you ever gonna throw these boots away???