Tree wrestling

I am returned from three hours of tree wrestling. I have defeated the 800 pounds of limb that fell in my back yard during Wednesday's storm, although it may be a Pyrrhic victory. I say "wrestling" because the anticipated use of bow saw and rip saw didn't work out so well. Not only were the branches thicker than I am, but they rocked around a lot (hung up on the fence), so the blade kept getting trapped. Not easily discouraged, I broke off each of 200 branches until I could dislodge the main trunk, then dragged it out into the middle of the back yard. There I finally gained the upper hand. Anke the Druid permits me to wrestle trees if they're already down, no chainsaws allowed. I promise to treat the remains with dignity.

This was one instance when being stubborn, insane, anal, obsessive, or (to use Anke's favorite term for me) a maniac came in handy. That and my ability to use leverage to make up for be a little weakling without a chainsaw. I'm soooo sore already: I know I'm going to regret this tomorrow. I shouldn't consider carrying anything breakable during the next 36 hours, because my hands are (so far, and thankfully) numb.

Now back to the intellectual side of life.