Gettin' Wood!

Recently, I went with my husband for the first time to cut firewood.  We have a Forest Service permit, which allows us to cut four cords of wood.  In the past, he's gone by himself or with other men, but this time he asked me to come.  He said it would make me appreciate my warm house more in the winter.  He also told me that sometimes people are in the area shooting and asked if that would make me nervous.

It was then I knew that getting wood was either going to be really fun, or really, really nerve wracking!

The night before I promised that I would follow instructions quickly and carefully without (much) commentary.  The latter ended up not being that difficult, as it's hard to talk over a chain saw.  And with respect to the instructions part--well let's just say I was all about the 'quickly.'  With Forest Service permits, you are allowed to cut wood that is already on the ground (fallen trees) or trees that are standing but clearly dead.  (Note:  they call the latter 'widow makers.')  I knew that felling trees would probably be part of the day's operations, and I admit I was pretty nervous.  So the first time we picked one to cut, hubby handed me a sturdy branch and told me I was the 'pusher.'  He first cut a notch close to the ground on the side of the truck that we wanted the tree to fall.  As he prepared to cut on the opposite side (where we were standing) he told me to push well above his cut to encourage the tree to go where we wanted it to go (i.e. away from us).  He also said that as it begins to fall, I should move back and go stand on a particular tuft of grass.  He then began to cut into the tree and I pushed and watched.  The instant that dang tree started to fall, I leaped for the grass.  The tree landed exactly on target, and hubby turned to me and said "good job, but next time you don't need to throw your stick."  Noted.  

We ended up felling three trees.  He cut, I carried.  He said I had never looked sexier as I did while carrying wood.  I would beg to differ on that account, but it was a nice compliment nevertheless.  I'll also add that we didn't hang up any trees and that all three landed right where we targeted.  I'd like to think it was my innate mathematical ability that allowed me to triangulate the exact place and direction to push, but I think that would be a bit of an overstatement.  At any rate, we are half a cord closer to a full woodshed, and had a little bit of marital bonding to boot!  Not bad for a day's work!