As lovely as the new windows and french doors are, there is still a problem - light. It's nice to be nestled among the trees, but that also creates a problem with getting enough light into the studio. I've gotten several estimates for having the large pines removed. Rick said he could take down the smaller trees. So, Wednesday became lumberjack day - bright and sunny and full of promise as they say!
Mind you, it was really rafter day but by 9:00 a.m. the delivery truck with the 16' - 2x6's hadn't arrived. So what do you normally do while waiting for a delivery truck? Why cut down a tree, doesn't everyone? I suppose everyone who jumps out of bed quoting John Wayne - "Daylight's burning darlin'" - does.
So unable to wait patiently for his delivery Rick got out his chain saw. I started to wake up Mike, he doesn't work on Wednesdays so it's his day to help Dad on the studio. Rick getting out the chain saw is also a good reason to get Mike out there to help.
True to form, as soon as Rick cut a nice big wedge out of the tree - the side facing away from the studio, the delivery truck pulled up. He warned the driver not to pull the truck any closer, took the delivery and returned to his cutting. Minutes later, down went the little maple. Mike and I cleared away the branches while Rick cut the wood into 3' sections.
Pardon me, but is that a chain saw in my begonias? That really can't be good for them. But he missed my little forsythia Bob! It was only by inches, but it was safe. Felling trees can be tricky business.
Having productively passed the time, Mike and Rick then put in the rafters. It went remarkably well and they were finished in no time. We had a little lunch and then the trouble started!
Taking down that first tree had gone so well, and with the rafters all in place it was time for more tree cutting. Chain saw all sharpened, Rick went for one of the pines, the one leaning towards the studio. Seems wedge or no, that tree was going for the studio - oops!
No problem says Mike as he shimmies up the trunk onto the roof. "I'll get it down." Then with a little fancy footwork - Mike pushed it off the roof. An exciting little miscalculation and a great photo op, but no harm done. So what do you think Rick did next?
Mr. Daylight's Burning went for another go at the next tree in line! One can never have too much fun.
This particular tree went for the very large oak tree in the middle of the yard where it hung up, trapping the chain saw in the half-cut stump. Does it get any better than this?
So with massive blows with an axe, Mikey freed the chain saw and took down the tree. He was also ever so grateful that worked called, someone had called in sick and could he come in? "Oh yea, sorry Dad gotta RUN!"
