Well, in a moment of stupidity, I could have seriously hurt myself today.
One of many things I got from my dad is a love of yard work. I have come to realize this is probably not a common trait in many folks these days. Nevertheless, after I moved into my house in November, I noticed that there were all these dead tree limbs that were never cut out of the trees that hang over the driveway. So, realizing that one small storm could practically destroy my car, I borrowed a pole saw from my dad on Saturday to clear out the tree branches.
So, I started cutting down these limbs - which was fairly difficult b/c they were 10-20 feet off the ground. I cut the first one down with a resounding crash, however the second was too high. So, I hooked the saw on a lower limb and pulled it down with a loud crack. (Interestingly, a neighbor around the corner was apparently outside and yelled, 'everything ok?' - I responded affirmatively).
But, you see, another habit of mine is that when I start cutting stuff down, I just like to keep going with it. So, after picking up years of downed limbs in the yard (apparently past tenants have not shared my affinity for yard work), I cut down some more dead limbs...
...and came to the big kahuna. In front of the house there is a roughly 30 foot dogwood tree that is completely dead - my immediate thought was, "I've GOT to cut this down" (as I think of this I envision chopping down the tree with a huge, ground-shaking thud). However, the problem is that on either side of where the tree could fall (it was already leaning) are my cable and power lines.
*Here's the part where I interject the fact that I used to watch A LOT of the History Channel. I soon realize that much like a cable that snaps on an aircraft carrier, if the tree hits one of those cables it could snap back and seriously injure me - let alone start a fire or rip part of my 50+ year old house down.
However, the childlike side of me wanted to see the 'boom' that I had built up in my mind. So, I strategically cut a big notch out of the tree where I wanted it to fall and began to cut it from the back. The entire time I began to slowly grow in both anticipation and anxiety as I realized how cool and/or horrific this could end up.
Finally I cut through the tree...
...and nothing. The tree was caught at the top and just sat on the blade after I was through. So, logically I pulled the blade out...
...and nothing. I just sat there. Well, now I'm really freaked out b/c it didn't fall, and it looked like it could go either way.
Nevertheless, a few swift kicks and the thing fell down...
...perfectly. I am talking exactly in between the two power lines. It was a moment of glory, however the thud was not the ground shaking kind I expected. Anyway, mission accomplished - not only did I not die or destroy my house in any way, but more importantly passed a profound test of my manhood today.
Some things just make you feel good.
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