Christmas Carols in August

Along with getting House #2 ready for move-in day today, and taking down plaster in House #1, we are still progressing on clearing out our property for a garage at the Cat Ranch.  Every weekend Walt Kowalski and the Chain Saw Johnny take another tree down. We're getting there.

It's a simple plan.  Walt Kolwaski anchors the tree.  Chain Saw Johnny cuts the trees down.  We all cut up the small branches. Chain Saw Johnny takes the big logs home to spilt for his wood burner. Walt Kolwaski and I pile up the small logs we want for our fireplace.  I burn the rest. (The parts that can't be burned inside and the rotted ant infested or leaf filled parts.)

Don't hate me because we're taking down trees.  We've got lots of them.  We live in the forest.  The ones we are taking down now are a hazard to our house or ant infested. ick ick ick.  We also have plans to plan some nicer newer, trees that we can prune or maybe even get some fruit. 

The smoke filled the entire neighborhood at times this weekend.  Last week we burned the lath from House #1 and the flames were that high.  Saturday is the only legal "burn day" in our township.  Last Saturday morning, two hours into the burn, it started pouring rain.  That didn't stop me.  No better day to burn.  The neighbors won't have their windows open so we'll lessen complains about the smoke.  (Who are those crazy people working in the rain?)

Apologies to the farmer.  For some reason, the smoke always seems to go up through the trees and back down on to his house in the valley.  We don't mind if you play your music late and loud.  Let's call it a trade-off.  We won't tell the mayor.

Speaking of the mayor, running the chain saw and cutting up pine trees put Chain Saw Johnny in the mood for Christmas carols.   I wish I would have written them down as he was making them up, but I was too busy laughing.

Here is one part I remember:

(the tune is to Winter Wonderland.)

And the fire is a smokin'
The neighbor's dogs are a chokin'
The tree's on the ground
There's smoke all around

Cuttin down a summer Christmas tree


Then the mayor asks 'you got a permit?'
We say 'No way,
Get the Hell outta here.'




I think I can still smell the smoke in my hair.