March Vacation 2012

Indeed we did pick the right year to stay in CT for the month of March because we had temperature highs in the 70s and 80s all week! Megan and I even enjoyed a run through the garden sprinkler one day. The weather also cooperated for our yard projects, the biggest of which was to remove our storm damaged tree - TIMBER! Christina and I experienced quite a thrill as we felled the 30' plus swamp Maple?, just missing the deck of the house and barely nicking Megan's playset. Good thing for youtube, where we learned the proper procedure. Ryan came over to help the next day with cutting up the wood which we transported to former neighbor Bill, just down the road. We're looking at a possible second tree to take down in the near future. By the way, thanks for the chainsaw Nonni!

We enjoyed trips with Megan to the Yankee Candle Company Store and Magic Wings Butterfly conservatory in Deerfield, MA as well as a return trip to the Harkness Park in Waterford, CT to enjoy the ocean on such a beautiful warm spring day.

Our weekend ended with a trip to the CT Science Center with friends Jen, Chris, Jackson, and Lilah, as well as with Uncle Ryan and Johnny.

Holiday Photos

Timber!

We had a tree taken down in our yard recently. My friend Ryan and I watched from the kitchen with awe. Up in a lift truck that took up our entire back yard, the arborist suspended each large branch with a rope and pulley system to lower them gently to the ground to prevent damage to our shed and to not land in the neighbor's yard. He then used one hand to wield the chainsaw horizontally to take slices of the trunk, while the other hand supported the wood so it wouldn't fall on top of our shed. One swift shove, and the slice of tree would strike the ground with enough force to shake the house. They used a wood chipper to clear the branches and stacked the trunk slices neatly behind our shed. The bottom most part of the trunk was nearly hollow with decay; probably an injury led to insect infestation. The arborist suggested how I can prune my apple tree in February. If anyone nearby needs firewood, come and get it. We can't let wood travel beyond our county, though, because the Emerald Ash Boorer Beetle could spread.

Family / Tree

Mom and Dad stopped up for a quick visit last weekend. Mom took Megan to the Lutz Children's museum in Manchester. Dad had a cold, but so did I and Megan. Hopefully we'll all be better for Christmas.