Day After Tomorrow
It is almost July and I am sitting here in my thick terry robe and "big bird" winter slippers and none too warm. It is 48 degrees outside according to the thermometer on the back porch; and because I went to bed mistakenly thinking the windows in the front room were closed, it is barely 60 here at the computer this morning. Brrr! And hot diggety! The task du jour is to get in another couple loads of firewood--an unheard of chore for summer, usually, with the heat and humidity, yellow jackets and gnats. But it is much easier to be motivated to go out and work hard in the woodlot when you can remember what it feels like to need a little heat in the room.
Yesterday, Nate and I cut, split and stacked two truckloads from across in the meadow. I had the chance to see how the truck would do going through the crossing that my neighbor and his tractor dug out for me about a month ago. There's been a four-pronged ash down now for a year that has needed to be off the ground and split for drying if we are to use it this coming winter.
Funny. When I finish with this tree, there are three more ashes (green ash, I think) that have suddenly failed to put out leaves this spring and summer. All of them are down along the edge of the pasture where I can drop them easily, so I'm thankful for this 'windfall' harvest. But it's puzzling why so many of these particular trees would all die at the same time. It's great wood--very dense and a high BTU source of heat from the woodstove. And it splits crisp and clean so that we never even needed the big "monster maul"--even on the knotty pieces. The work goes fast with the newly-sharpened chain and tuned up chainsaw. In the shade of the meadow where we were working yesterday, I can't say I was at all uncomfortable doing winter work in the middle of summer.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: I'm eating cold cereal and my hands are turning blue; and if nobody will tell the wife I was a wuss, I think I'm going to kick on the space heater for a few minutes. I think I can see my breath in here! And so, what is the name of that climate-change movie that's out now--about global WARMING?
Comments
Heh-heh. So where's the accompanying photo now, Fred?
Posted by: susan | June 27, 2004 10:39 AM
Come on out for a visit! It's 90 degrees and only 10AM!
Did you make fun of Nate's splitting technique this time? HUH?
Posted by: Doc Rock | June 27, 2004 1:13 PM
Greatphotos Fred.
Also enjoyed all the comments.Enjouyed meeting you all @ Jacksonville Center. Wow! I've got a lot to learn. Thanks
Posted by: Richard Smith | June 27, 2004 4:49 PM
Ha! I laugh at your pathetic space heater!
You should live in the SF Bay Area where one falls asleep in a swelter only to leap up at 3:00AM with cold wet fog blowing through the windows and the central heat blasting. We never turn off the heater, just turn the set point down to 50 cuz it's way too cold and damp most mornings...we often don't see the sun until 1:00PM
Harley's been really restless at night lately too, the deer are bellowing in the canyon and last night a coyote added his distinctive voice...shortly thereafter Molly knocked on the window to be let in...smart cat.
Posted by: feste | June 28, 2004 1:50 PM
We have just had the 4th coldest June in 100 plus years here as well
Posted by: Robert Paterson | June 29, 2004 2:23 PM
About the dead ash trees: you may be seeing the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer. Look for D-shaped holes in the trees. It is because of this insect that every ash tree in the U.S. is going to die, as reported by Notional Slurry at http://williamtozier.com/slurry/comment/city_slickers/doomedToMow.html.
Posted by: Dave Trowbridge | June 29, 2004 8:46 PM