Firewood

Because of the way my property is set up, the only way to get firewood delivered anywhere near my new shed is to drive across the field with it.  I didn't plan things this way, but a screw up by the excavator when I was building the house created this little problem.  It is not that big a problem most of the time, it just means that the only time any sort of large, heavy equipment can get near the barn or shed is when the ground is totally dry and the field can be driven on. 

I thought I had this issue resolved by ordering firewood last March and asking the guy to deliver it in July.  It seemed like a good plan.  The only trouble is that here it is, the end of August and no firewood.  Since my wood stove is my only source of heat, this has really been bugging me.  As a result, I have been bugging the firewood guy.  Or maybe I should say I have been bugging his answering machine since that's all I ever get.  Yesterday afternoon, I finally got in touch with the actual human firewood guy and lo and behold, he had the truck all loaded, just waiting for my call.  Interesting how that works.

At any rate, I finally have some firewood.  Unfortunately, it is only half of what I will need this winter and tonight it is raining hard.  Still, it is a start...

I am not quite up for firewood stacking yet, all that bending and lifting is going to have to wait a bit more.  That's the other reason I wanted wood in July, the job would have been done BEFORE I had surgery.  Oh well.  At least I have some help....

"What do you think Em, should I get out those packs?  Ha, I told you I'd think of something!"

"I think you're delusional, it's a good thing the guy managed to drive across the field.  Lucky for you, it's such a short distance you don't need a pack donkey anyway."

"I'll just supervise, Lord know you need a lot of that. I think I'd better do some product sampling as well..."   

.

The Help

I'm sure you all have noticed the ugly pile of leftover firewood lying, half covered, in a heap on my lawn.  Well, now that I have finally gotten the roof on my wood/storage shed, it is time to get that firewood put away in it's new home.  I was making good progress on this job last weekend and then....the "help" showed up....

"Do we get to eat this stuff this winter?  It's not too bad really; a little chewy, but tasty...."

"i BET i COULD JUMP THIS!..."

"You know Ma, I still think you should teach me to drive this thing..."

"i COULD JUMP THIS TOO!..."

"WOW, WHAT HAPPENS IF i PUSH THE RED BUTTON???"

"Hey Ma, you missed a few pieces.  You know, you really ought to get some help around here..."

"HMMM, DO i EAT THIS? JUMP ON IT?  ROLL ON IT???"

In spite of all the help, progress was made.  Unfortunately, it was a small, inadequate pile of firewood that will require a great deal of adding to before the cold weather shows up and some of the help remains unimpressed...

"All that time messing around with firewood and donkeys and what have you got to show for it?  A big patch of bare dirt and a very bored dog.  Do you think you could try throwing the ball at least once this minute?"