The Tree Surgeon
It was 5 pm and the traffic was at crawl when Homeward bound motorist noticed a Tree Surgeon dangling from a Pine tree over their heads like a Christmas Tree ornament. Suspected comments probably ranged from “O My God” to “What a Dumb Ass”, and in typical Philadelphian manner they just kept moving preserving their reputation earned when they booed Santa Claus in a Thanksgiving Parade.
I suppose the genesis for this unfortunate incident might have been the day I decided to purchase a Tri-Fuel Boiler for the house. You know, one of those units that burns either Wood, Coal or Oil. I had become obsessed with the idea that I could heat our home more economically by having the options of burning wood or coal and use oil as a backup source of energy. Not bad thinking on the surface if you ignore the labor factor. Coal was much cheaper than oil and I was experienced in maintaining a well banked fire from my early days when I cleaned coal bins and keep a coal furnace fired and stoked.
Naturally the passage of time erases the memories of the disadvantages associated with those days, like coal dust, shoveling of coal, and the disposal of the ashes. But hey, this Tri-Fuel puppy also burns wood and that put me in another life cycle of looking for and hauling home every piece of wood my eye could spot. I’m now “Paul Bunyan” and purchasing all sorts of equipment to assist me in this new Wilderness Style Lifestyle.
Ever hear of the Chopper 1 Axe. I used this amazing axe for splitting logs I brought home. But I needed Chain Saw to be able to get logs in my cars trunk so I spend $80.00 dollars on the Chopper 1 axe and $90.00 on a “Homelite 16 inch Chainsaw”. Combining these cost with the $5,000 dollars for the Tri-Fuel Furnace we’re starting to talk real money here. But I not finished yet. I’ve yet to solve the heating of my office which is on an enclosed unheated porch. So off I go to find a heating source for the Office. That’s when I discovered those air tight wood or pellet Burning stoves. So while I’m buying the stove the Office I think why not pick up an air tight Wood burning insert for the living room fire place. After all if I’m going to make this change in lifestyle why not go all the way. I purchase the office stove and the Fireplace insert adding $900.00 for the office stove and $1,100.00 for the fireplace insert to the investment above. Chump change compared to the Thousands I’ll be saving in fuel cost,right.
Now all I need is Coal, Wood and Oil. The Coal and Oil are easy. A phone call plus money and Wa La they’re delivered and stored in a relatively small space. Wood, now that is another matter. A cord of wood measures 4′ wide by 4′ high and 8′ long, or 128 cubic feet. So my task is now to gather Four cords of wood, the amount I estimated it would take to run the two stoves and the Furnace for three months. I planned to store the wood in our two car garage and park the cars outside for the Winter. This is not an easy task, but fortunately I was young and Stupid, and harbored no limiting fears.
About this time I was taking both of my children to the Orthodontist for braces. I sure most of you have experienced the gripping terror when you discovered how much a pretty smile for little Johnny or Mary cost. Peanuts compared to my “Paul Bunyan” experiment. However as luck would have it my Orthodontist worked out of her home which was an estate of some size with many many large trees and she had a need and I had a bill. A deal was made where I was to take down one really huge Oak Tree (4′ dia. and really tall) and a Pine tree that was leaning and about to fall for Orthodontic services rendered.
In steps the “Tree Surgeon“, a good friend and client of mine, who was a Preacher in a small county Church. When I told him of my problem he said “Nelson, let me help you. I can take down that tree in about five hours and all you will have do is cut it up and haul it home.” Talk about answered prayer. And who better to receive it from than a person in good standing with the LORD. Good as his word the mighty Oak came down and for the next week I hauled close to 8 cords of wood home to be split and stacked in the garage.
Wondering about the leaning Pine tree aren’t you? Yep, now for the sad part of this tale. My friend after a few instructions lent me his climbing equipment. The Belt, Climbing spikes, and various ropes to tie off and let down safely what I dismembered from the tree. Everything went well for the first thirty feet. I was a tree climbing and tree cutting fool. That is until I reached the top when I became just a tree climbing FOOL. Remember when I said that it was a Pine tree that was leaning. Well as I got to the top, the trunk was much smaller and the tree was leaning out over the road, I started to doubt my trust in leaning out from the tree and letting the climbers belt hold me. I instead started to lean into the tree and oops, it happened. Those leg spikes came loose from the tree and I found myself hanging by the belt which was to working its’ way up my body. Thank GOD for Arms and Arm pits or I would have become a real ugly Traffic Cone on the road below.
Dangling with my face smudged against the tree and my chainsaw hanging from the belt which is now around my chest, I from my closet of prayer said ” LORD any chance you can lend a hand here“ The answer of course is the fact I’m here penning this woefully embarrassing experience. There are times in life where you reflect, Wow I could have been killed if I had not been so lucky. However through this Episode I did survived with my stupidity still intact to perform again on another day some other incredibly stupid act.
I'm a 74 year old man who loves this new medium of Blogging. I am also an Senior Manager in Send Out Cards which gives me a superior method of relating to the world through Greeting Cards. I have met and enjoyed wonderful friends who support me and actually LIKE me which is very rewarding. My online presence is growing and if I can hang on to life I will reap the benefits of establishing a business that will comfort me when I get old. Mostly however I Blog about my life which for some strange reason is well received. Like most of us the future is scary and the remembrance of older days give a measure of comfort. So I continue to reveal the past with optimism that the future will some day be the comfort of somebody else.24 Comments
Leave a Reply
-
-
-
Do You Want More Referrals?
-
Are Ready for Your Own At Home Business?
Nelson,
Your wife must be a very even-tempered woman! From the sounds of your adventures, you have pushed the limits of safety quite a few times. Can’t imagine her thoughts as your tales have been told.
Your stories make for wonderful copy though. So glad you came through all your escapades unscathed.
Val
Val Wilcox´s last [type] ..Are Competing Commitments Holding You Back
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
August 29th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Oh, I’ve got a few scares and probably wore the patience out of my first wife. Second wife keeps me in check pretty much. Thanks Val for you coming by this late and commenting. Go get some sleep.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
This reminded me of my neighbors similar escapade with a tree, a chain saw, and a rope harness. What is it with guys and trees? LOL Thanks for another great blog. Glad you survived it.
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
August 30th, 2010 at 5:00 am
Been a tree climber all my life. The view is so much better at the top. Now days my tree adventures are confined to climbing into my Hammock. Thanks Gail for posting. Are you enjoying the Tribes?
[Reply]
Nelson, It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog! Your life stories are really good and so well written that once you start reading them you get pulled right into them and you can’t wait to read more! I’m sure it was quite scary when you found yourself dangling there from that tree! I’m just glad your arms and armpits saved you from becoming a traffic cone!
I am already looking forward to coming back to read your next post! Thanks, ~Joseph McDevitt
Joseph McDevitt´s last [type] ..How To Autoplay A YouTube Video
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 7:27 am
Yep, good to know that Arm Pits are good for something other than smelling up the place. Thanks Joseph, you always leave great comments.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
Another great post Nelson that has me smiling and, at times, laughing. You are a very engaging person with your life stories. It’s always great to visit here. And although my comment looks very generic, believe me, I did read your post because it’s so enjoyable!
Howard Hughes´s last [type] ..Play Your Own Game
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 11:50 am
I know that Howard, and I do appreciated you and your comments. I suppose most of us have very similar life stories. I’m just one who is old enough to not care if he looks foolish. Again thanks so much for stopping by.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
Nelson,
Once again, another riveting story. With our daughter having braces a couple of years ago, we definitely understand the costs associated with that perfect smile, and can relate to your willingness to take on a trade for wood-cutting services.
And once again, we are so happy you survived to be able to share more of your stories.
Thanks so much!!
~ Pat and Lorna
http://TheCoolestCouple.com
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 5:33 am
As my Grandpa used to tell me. ” Any port is a storm is a good thing.” Over the years I have had to do many things to get by. Cutting that Pine tree had to be the dumbest.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
Oh my gosh!! Maybe you should be doing stand up! Or at least end by saying, “And That’s the news from Boulder, where all the women are strong…. etc.” That was toooo funny! Well, it sure wasn’t funny to you at the time, but the way you told it sure had me laughing out loud. (I guess it is kind of sick though. Kind of like laughing when those people on Funniest Home Videos hittheir heads on a tree, diving board, or baseball over and over.)
This seems to be anther cliffhanger though. I mean, almost as wild as the flapping cover on the plane. We know you SURVIVED, sure, but how the heck did you get down, and even more important, whatever happened to the tri-burner???
You are good!
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 5:36 am
Long legs. Tr-Fuel Furnace went with the house when it was sold some years later. Thanks Richard for your very kind remarks. It was a highlight of my month to talk to you on Skype. Again thanks a bunch buddy for dropping in.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
Nelson – I with RIchard – what is the rest of the story? How did you get down? You and your awesome cliff hangers – or should I say “tree hangers” haha Great story as usual:)
Glyna Humm´s last [type] ..Make Them Smile With Appreciation Marketing
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 5:38 am
Might be another story in there. Who knows? The Shadow knows! Hope things are well in Alabama my lady. Missed you last week.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
Nelson,
I just love your life stories. Seems like there was a lot of money spent on the different heating options and lots of manpower. Was it all worth it in the end? Keep those stories coming.
~ Tim
Tim Colletti´s last [type] ..Converting Your Website-Blog Hits Into Sales
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Of course not. I never intentionally did anything that saved me money. I thought I was, but inexperience taught me otherwise.
Nelson´s last [type] ..The Tree Surgeon
[Reply]
What an interesting post! You are a master story-teller my friend. I love to hear your story of this tree endeavor. My grandpa was a logger and actually died in an accident when he was trimming a huge tree by himself on a non-working day. I was only 3 so I don’t remember him, but I hear he was a chipper, easy-going man.
Mike Pedersen´s last [type] ..The Secret To Success When Networking For Realtors
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Mike, I guess that shows how lucky I was if an experience tree man died trimming a tree. Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you often here and on your own Blog.
[Reply]
Yet another captivating tale from the life of Nelson! Well, we both wrote about trees this week, but with quite different spins I’d say!
I’m so glad you’re safe and sound ~ I’m with Val, you must have one even-keeled wife! Phew! Thanks for sharing your adventures, you are a brilliant story teller.
Beth Allen´s last [type] ..Strategic Planning and Tall Trees
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 5:54 am
After reading your post Beth, I can say, “Your Tree is Bigger than My Tree”. And no my First wife was not “Even Keeled”. One of my biggest Failures in Life. Thanks Beth for visiting, I always feel inspired you visit.
[Reply]
Nelson,
So what is the rest of the story? You left me hanging …
There has to be something with guys and trees. One of my boyfriend’s favorite expressions is “I’m going to go rip a tree out of the ground.”
Love your stories. You have a true knack for story telling!
Darlene Davis´s last [type] ..Transitions Revisited
[Reply]
Hi Nelson,
Glad everything turned out OK for you. When you called out to the
Lord for a helping hand reminded me of “Footprints in the Sand”.
I always see my neighbor spend hours cutting up wood for the winter.
It looks like too much work for me, lol. I’ve lived in my home for six
years and have never used our fireplace because my wife’s breathing
issues.
Thanks for sharing another story from your life, always enjoy it.
Tommy D.
Tommy DiPietro | MLM Prospecting Hero´s last [type] ..MLM Sales Strategies for the Home Business Owner A Review of ViralURL
[Reply]
Nelson Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 5:11 am
The cult of wood cutters would argue that their cutting of wood does in fact heat them twice. Once when cutting and the second when burning. Now being older I am on your side. Way too much work. Thanks for post your comments Tommy, they are appreciated.
[Reply]
Thanks Nelson, you are an excellent story teller! You had me right until the end and which point I was laughing very hard!!
Combining your great story telling skill and having been born and raised in a logging/fishing community it was very easy for me to picture you every step along the way.
Well Done and do Keep EM Commin!
Carla McNeil, Social Media Marketing Mentor´s last [type] ..Social Marketing Money Insider’s Update “Show Me The Money!” Monthly Letter
[Reply]