This is as far as I got with a handsaw. My father-in-law is going to come over with his chainsaw to cut it closer to the ground and chunk it up for firewood. While I was doing that, Rachel pulled all the limbs around front, plus a bunch of other clean-up. Then I took a nap in the sun!
My task today is to take down this tree. We’re having a woodstove installed soon and the chimney goes there. It’ll be a secondary and emergency source of heat for us. I’ll also have to find a place to build a little lean-to for the woodpile but that’s a task for another day.
Signs of life all over the yard!
Blooms on the lilac bush:
Native honeysuckle
Rachel transplanted the gooseberry bush last year because it seemed to be struggling. Looks like it survived the move.
Principles of “The Pro-Human AI Declaration”, signed by a wide range of people and organizations:
There’s a lot to like about this post: honesty about what life is like out here in the hinterlands, a recognition of the effect of geography on people, a broad-mindedness that seeks understanding between flyover country and the coastal elites. A unique (in my experience) argument worth considering.
There was a robin singing his heart out at 3am today. I guess he’s excited about a break in the rain too!
If you’re looking for American-made jeans, I’m happy with a pair from Dearborn Denim. I buy secondhand clothes where I can and then pay a bit more for items that are durable and/or repairable, e.g., jeans, boots. American made is a plus, since it’s generally better for workers and the environment.
The Mortise and Tenon folks have signed onto Writers Against AI: “The Prompt is not the Craft.” They’ve also created a site in support of the effort. I found a couple new writers to follow via the Voices section of the site.
Doing some work in the garden today, topping up raised beds with fresh soil. We pulled the last of the overwintered carrots, plus a close-up of those beautiful early crocuses.
Finished reading Radiance of the Ordinary: Essays on Life, Death, and the Sinews that Bind by Tara Couture. Wonderful, wonderful. One of the best books I’ve read in a while. 📚