Done with firewood!

Janet


Ok, we finally got most of the wood out of the woods.  

Hi, Janet,

Ok, we finally got most of the wood out of the woods.  Beat up the little pickup doing it, but she handled it great. 
 
Nice job!  That's a heck of a lot of work, to say the least.  Hope you have a nice hot tub to pamper your undoubtedly aching muscles.
 
I put in 13 cords last fall and it just about did me in.  Ought to last close to three years though, unless the next two years are as cold and snowy as this year has been in the Northern Sierra.  I think I'll put in a few more cords this summer just to be on the safe side...... 
 
I see from your photo that you don't have any snow on the ground.  I'm jealous.  It's snowing to beat the band here as I type this.  Am I ready for spring?  That's an emphatic YES!
 
Best regards,
Bill
 

 

 
Hi, Janet,
 
Janet

Bill?  You're back! I haven't seen you around for ages!  How's it going? 
 
Indeed, I'm back, at least for the moment.  My life took some twists and turns over the past year and I was unable to do much music or participate in these forums. 
 
Things are going a bit better at the moment and I hope to be able to post some songs on the song forum before too long.  I'm back to playing live music after a long hiatus and that keeps me from doing as much work in Sonar as I'd like to do.  In any case, it's nice to be back on the forums--I've missed being here.

13 cords?  I know exactly what that feels like.  Ugh.  Yes, the tub with epsom salts certainly felt good a couple of nights. 
 
It never fails to amaze me how heavy firewood is, especially oak.  The stuff will beat you up! 

We actually had snow 2 weeks ago!  Sandwiched in between days of 70 and 80 degrees!
 
Stop!  You're killing me with these tales of 70-80 degree days.  ;>)
 
  March is crazy around here.
 
Here, too.  In like a lion and out like an atom bomb this year.  Haven't seen so much snow in March in quite a few years.  It's snowing as I type this and I must confess that I'm pretty tired of it.  But warmer weather can't be too far away-------right?
 
Spring can't come fast enough for me. 
 
Amen.
 
The redbuds just bloomed today and the dogwoods are ready to pop out any day. :)
 
We've still got two feet of snow on the ground so nothing is blooming.  But the birds are coming back in droves and they seem a little confused as to why there isn't much to eat.  My wife puts out seed for them and it attracts a heck of a crowd of birds and squirrels.  I saw a Blue Jay and a squirrel going at it the other day, fighting over the seed.  The Blue Jay won.....
Glad to see you again!
 
Thanks!  It's nice to have a welcome back.  I notice that a lot of the folks I used to communicate with don't seem to be around anymore.  Or maybe they're all at the X1 forum, which I don't read since I'm still using 8.53. 
 
Anyhow, I hope to be around here for awhile, so we'll undoubtedly chat again.
 
Best regards,
Bill

Janet


I can so relate to that picture, Quazelar.  :)  And that's what this splitter looked like too.  (maybe they all look the same...I have no idea.)  I can't even imagine doing this for income.  If I did, I'd sure charge a lot!  :) 

 
Hi, again, Janet,
 
Janet
Bill, yes, the last time I remember, you were battling with severe arthritis (I think it was) and worried about coming off the medicine you were taking.  When we didn't hear from you for ages I was worried.  So glad you're better and back to playing music again. That's wonderful!  :)
 
I'm still battling the disease----it's never going to go away, I'm afraid, but the new medication does seem to really help.  Well, at least it's keeping things from getting any worse, so far, which is terrific. 
 
I'm really lucky to be playing again.  I'm in a band now that has another guitarist (something I haven't done in a long time, having always been able to handle the guitar work myself) who handles all the stuff that requires serious finger dexterity and chops.  Honestly, the band doesn't really need me since I can't play anything like I used to, but the members are all good friends and they are kind enough to let play with them and do what I can do.  And, honestly, in many ways my playing has improved since I can't play the fast or technical stuff anymore.  I have to concentrate on every dang note I play and try to make more music with a lot less notes.  It's a good thing the band is blues-oriented since, in blues, less is usually more.  ;>)

And yes, that oak sure is heavy.
 
Oh, I know, I know. ;>)  Living in the Sierra, I'm much more used to softwoods like fir, cedar, pine, etc..  But four of the cords I put in last year were oak and the weight differnece (and pain factor) was tremendous.  I doubt I could have done 13 cords if it had all been oak. 
 
My son, who's living in our house and heated in with wood this winter, told me I didn't need to be splitting it so small, so that saved a little time splitting.  But then that meant it was that much heavier to pick up and throw in the pickup and stack. 
 
Exactly.  There's a happy medium in there somewhere but I err on the side of smaller rather than bigger.  At least I can toss the smaller pieces to the top of the pile. ;>)
 
 Ugh!  My hands were almost numb a couple of evenings. 
 
Almost?  I'm surprised you could feel anything after doing all that splitting and stacking. 

Anyway, I hope spring really comes to your place soon.
 
I heard, today, that this current storm is the last one scheduled to come through for some time.  We got over 200" of snow this year so I've had my fill.  Maybe spring will spring this week.....  It'll be a long time before the yard drys out enough to walk around without sinking in up to my knees.  I had hoped to be planting a new lawn by now but it's obviously going to have to wait until the snow melts and the ground dries out a bit.  Mother Nature works on her own schedule and our silly human desires don't really make much of an impression on her, it seems......
 
Best regards,
Bill