Sorta rambling

[turnkey4099]

Back on the forum thanks to Darin. I posted a similar thread just before the changeover but it seems to have been lost.

After 37 years of 'firewooding', 8+ cord/yr, it is time to cut way back. I have over 80 cord/Black Locust in the stacks which will last out what time I have left. I do have a customer for 4 cord of Willow @$130/cord. Producing that will get me some 'fun in the trees' for a few more years providing my wife's condition allows me to get out a few hours in themornings. Thus far this year I have been able to cut about 4 hours a day but she is going downhill fast now. Of course 4 hour/day is about all these old bones have left in them anyhow

I even gave away a good locust find as adding more to my stash would be pointless:

currently working on the split/stack of the willow rounds. It is for the 2015 4 cord delivery (2014 is in the stacks already)- should be more than 4 cord when done. Overag will be a nice addition to my shoulder season stash.

I had that figured to take a month or so of manual splitting to get the blood moving in the morning but it is going faster than I expect, 1/2 of the first rick of rounds is already finished after only about a week. I still have som 10-15 cord of BL in the rounds to work on after that.

Gonna be a big life change pooping around with such small amounts. I'll hve to cut back on the brews and the snacks or I'll blow up like a balloon. It is the physical exercise that I will be missing the most. The thought of getting exercise in a gym brings pictures of pure boredom.

Harry K

 

[zogger]

As long as you like it and can do it, I'd keep stacking (when you can take the time), and maybe just sell more, or better for fun, do swaps.

That's my geezer plan anyway.

 

[greendohn]

Good for you Turnkey, that you can still get out there and chase it.. Nice looking country there in your neck of the woods.
Zogger might be onto something with his post.

 

[513yj]

Lots of work there but it really feels good after making a nice woodpile like that. I've only stocked maybe 1 full cord or so of beech and maple for next year but if the snow holds off I'm gonna get some more after deer season. It makes me feel better hunting, fishing, or firewooding in the morning versus diagnostic microbiology, but the college thing finally has some light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[jrider]

Good for you Turnkey. I would think that what you are doing is keeping you going or at least going at the rate you would prefer. I was talking a cranberry/blueberry farmer Sunday morning who is in his early 70's. He was impressed with the wood pile I had worked up this year and how fast I was selling it all. I spoke about keeping busy was my plan to stay healthy and hell I'm only 37. He told me I had the right frame of mind and that he would much rather rust out then to breakdown prematurely before his time was up. I say keep on going as long as it makes you happy.

 

[Dirtboy]

Keep on going as long as you can. I used to be capable of a long day also, but the last couple of years I break it off at no longer than a 6 hour day. Keeps it fun and less aching the next morning. Cant beat exercise in the woods.

 

[Steve NW WI]

Harry, if anyone's earned the right to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labors, it's you. I wouldn't worry too much about a couple extra beer n bacon pounds either.

 

[stihly dan]

Sorry to hear about your wife. I would vote for keep getting some wood ( use it or lose it. ) A guy at work went into the office at 60, he broke down fast. At 65 he was forced to retire, he didn't have much fun with his pains. A year latter he came back to work in the hvac field again. He now looks and is physically fit as he was at 55. He is much happier now that all the pains are gone, says he will never retire again, just slow down some.

 

[TreePointer]

Job well done, Harry.

I betcha you'll still get distracted by just as many locust groves and fencerows while driving by. It's in the blood.

 

[turnkey4099]

Job well done, Harry.

I betcha you'll still get distracted by just as many locust groves and fencerows while driving by. It's in the blood.

That's for sure! I occasionally tour sites I spotted but didn't get to cut just to see if they are still there. Cost me a tire the other day doing that. Truck riding rough but I figured I could check on a site, Tire blew out halfway there. Wonder of wonders that funky jack that came with the old truck actually worked, jacked it up, removed lug nuts and then stood there looking at a wheel frozen to the drum. Nothing but one splitting wedge to hammer with, nearest rock in that country wouild be about 40 miles away, left my phone on the desk...bottom line flagged down a guy who took me to town, droped at Grange Supply, everybody busy with the annual tire changeover, manager grabbed a tire hammer, drove me back, beat the wheel off, mounted the spare and didnt' charge me anything! I gave him a $20 for the office kitty.

Harry K

 

[flashhole]

I hope your wife's condition improves.

Keep at the wood as long as you can. Just being outdoors and being active is highly theraputic. Gives you a reason to get up in the morning.

 

[Ironworker]

Trim your cutting down to 2 hours every other day if you enjoy cutting and splitting, I could probably do all my wood in 2 weekends but stretch it out to last most of the winter months working only a couple of hours per weekend. And eat and drink all you want.