A tree by any other name

When we bought our last house, one of the first things I noticed outside the kitchen window was the tree you see to the left. I instantly felt a connection to it and I named it, The Vagina Tree. If you can't figure out why...well...there's a lot you may not understand about women and me. This tree was dead. It was really a large stump, but I loved it. And even though we could have easily chopped it down, it felt like a piece of art (and to me, maybe something more), so we left it.

When we bought the Butter Firkin I was delighted to see a similar tree right on the front lawn. However, when we walked through the property with our tree guys, we had lots of discussion about THIS Vagina Tree...although, I'm pretty sure, we never once referred to it as such. It clearly harbored a disease. Parts of it were dead and the tree is very close to the house. And even though it was a pine tree that impaled Bill's Jeep some years ago, neither of us is keen on trees too close to the house, especially sickly ones. Bill and I hemmed and hawed over this one. We debated pros and cons. It was no easy decision to take this tree down. The Cassidy Tree guys have spent the last week taking down a whole bunch of pines all over the property, but they spent the whole day on this one...and I wonder if it was coincidence that they saved the best for last.

You can laugh, I don't care. But, I have often thought I was a mermaid or a blue whale in another life...but today, as I watched each limb cut and the branches fall, I think I might have been a tree, too. I felt actual pain in my heart. It was physical. I did not want to see that tree go...but sometimes hard decisions have to be made for the greater good.

I also have to tell you that the crew who took down this tree, just three men, were magical. Cassidy climbs up the tree wielding a chainsaw like some kind of sword. It's amazing watching him strategically plan out each move so that the tree comes down methodically and not on top of the barn or house. The two guys on the ground are moving around keeping the ground clear, maneuvering ropes...it was something else. I had to leave for an appointment, so I missed some of the very end, but the pictures and video below capture the essence of taking down a majestic part of nature. There is respect.

Again, I cannot say enough good things about Cassidy Tree Service. They were amazing.

I know what you're thinking. Lord, that's a lot of sunlight on my house. Yeah...well...all the better to warm it in winter. Also, doesn't that roof look gorgeous? Check out some video clips - it's only a minute or so long.

You can also see that the job is not completely done. Because...well, this is just the beginning and no jobs seem to be getting done on or remotely near the expected completion date. But there's a rumor we might have high speed internet by Thursday! I'll believe it when I see it. Let me leave you with this. A sugar firkin my dear husband found and bought on eBay.

I know! It looks like a livable house, right?? It's not. (But it will be.)