Taking Trees Down

We had a tree go down in our little woods a couple years ago, and never dealt with removing it.  We have a second very dead tree in the same area that needed to be taken down before a storm took it down and it landed on our roof.   I hadn't bothered to deal with it, as I wasn't sure who to call, and didn't want to spend a boatload of money.   I found out last week that a friend from church's husband has his own tree trimming and removal service!  How fortunate is that?!   They came over on Thursday to take a look at the trees and give us an estimate.  

Here's the tree that fell and needed to be taken out.  I had no idea how that would be done.  

I assumed (wrongly) that it would be cut down from where it was.  Boy, was I wrong.  I guess that's why I'm not the tree cutter downer person!  Adam Strey from Central Wisconsin Tree Trimming & Removal (715-223-0512) had other thoughts.  Adam tied a rope to the tree and to his truck and dragged it right out of there!  

It sounds bad, and it looks like some of the other trees may have been damaged, but they weren't!  Here's a short video: 

Next was to tackle the dead tree.  It's kind of hard to see, but it's the tall tree on the right where the bark is all white.  

First, Adam put a rope on the tree itself.   Then he attached it to another tree near where he wanted to lay it down.  That rope was then attached to the truck. 

And then there was some chainsaw action happening. 

Here's video of the tree coming down! 

And finally, we have "Chainsaw 101!"   Greg has never used a chainsaw before, so he asked Adam for some tips.  I'm not sure that he has the stamina to use one, but it's always good to have a professional give you tips on how to use what I consider to be a dangerous piece of power equipment! 

  

I bought this chainsaw a couple years ago, based solely on price.  We've had to use it a number of times since I bought it, so it was a good investment.  Adam said it was a pretty decent chainsaw, so I'm happy with my purchase!  

Now, of course, we have the job of cutting up the two trees.  We decided that we would do that, instead of having Adam do it, simply for cost reasons.  Our dear friend Nate enjoys playing with chainsaws, so he is going to come over tomorrow to help get it chopped up. 

If anyone in the area needs tree work, I HIGHLY recommend Adam.  He is fullly insured and gives free estimates and is very affordable.  Aside from tree trimming and removal, he can do onsite chipping, he has a 60' bucket truck, bobcat service and emergency storm service.   GREAT guy and wonderful family to deal with.  His office number is 715-223-0512

Hope everyone stays safe from any storms and this intense heat wave!  Just think, a month ago, we had 10 foot snowdrifts from three feet of snow!  

Prayers for all, 

Julie

Travel to the Big City!

In case you didn't know it, we are originally from Milwaukee.  Greg and I were both born and raised there.  This July will make 15 years that we've been living in the "Middle of Nowhere" that is the Mik Homestead.   We still have lots of friends and family in Milwaukee, so we usually travel there at least once a year, depending on what's happening.  This weekend was the first time we traveled to Milwaukee since last August.  I must say, I do NOT miss the City!   Sure there are a few things I miss, like friends and family and the shopping, but goodness, we have dirt roads up here that are in better shape than some of the paved city streets in Milwaukee!!!!  

Not only that, but then there is the TRAFFIC!  OH MY GOSH!  The traffic is AWFUL!   Maybe I'm remembering things with rose colored glasses, or just not remembering at all, but for crying out loud, the traffic is horrible!  And add the construction to that and well, it just STINKS!  

Between the construction (let's go ahead and close off the ramp for everyone wanting to go South on 94 and make everyone take 894.  Sure, that makes sense!)  and the traffic, EGADS!   This picture doesn't begin to show how awful the traffic really was, but it's all I have, so you'll just have to take my word for it!  

We attended the wedding of the daughter of my very best and dearest friend, Cheri.  Courtney was a beautiful bride and the wedding was fantastic!  We had a lot of fun and enjoyed fabulous friends and lots of amazing food!   

Before we left Milwaukee, we stopped to visit Aunt Gladys.  We try to visit with her every time we come down.  She is the oldest remaining member of Greg's mom's family.  When we visited last August, she was not doing well, and even though she didn't recognize us this time, she is doing so much better!  We are blessed to still have her with us!   Joe and Kristen met us there last time and this time and their daughter, Meredith was able to join us as well.  Paul (in front in the green shirt) is Greg's cousin (one of Aunt Gladys' sons) and lives at the assisted care facility with Aunt Gladys.  We were pleasantly surprised when Monica and Tom showed up (as were they!  Monica was looking at me as though I had three heads!  LOL).  It was really great to be able to spend time visiting and catching up with Greg's family!  

I should have mentioned that we stayed with my mom while we were in Milwaukee.  She moved back there a couple years ago and has a cute little house that is just perfect for her!   It was nice to be able to spend some time with her and go out for a fish fry on Friday.    

Greg is now 6 weeks sober, and things are going very well as far as that goes.  He is scheduled for another surgery on Tuesday (May 15, 2018), and I will post about that more after the surgery.  It's supposed to be a fairly simple surgery, but with his pacemaker/defibrillator, any surgery can be dangerous.  Please keep him in your prayers. 

Just to reiterate the whole "traffic" issue -- here's a picture of the kind of traffic I'm used to these days!  This is Highway 29, about 20 miles from our home.  Gotta love that!  

Hope all is well with everyone!  Blessings to all!  

Julie