Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Why I Am Glad My Son Studied Computers

Took some time to enjoy the waning days of summer and I am doing OK.

In my last post, I wrote about how the hickory tree in my backyard attempted suicide and took a neighboring cherry with it.  Another old soul, also a cherry, was injured in the melee, but will survive, albeit without some limbs.  With the help of my daughter's friend and dear hubby testing fate, the branches that were hanging on and close to the ground were cut off and the area cleaned up. It was a very big job and a lot of sweat was spent. The good thing is that half of the hickory tree could be saved.  Unfortunately, the tree next to it had to be completely removed, and it was done in a quick manner, a la Marie Antoinette.  Its passing was mourned and tears were shed. 

What was left was a branch of about 30 feet in length hanging capriciously from the split trunk. The other half was sprawled sideways in the other direction and spanned a few trees.  This had to be left to a professional.  After calling five different companies (some did not have the equipment, others said they would come, but never showed up), we found a young man who was willing to take the job for a very reasonable fee.



He came last Friday.  As I watched him and his assistant, my throat was in my stomach.  Holy moly, how does his mother let him do that. ?







Needless to say, I was a Nervous Nelly during the two hours this young man, Zack, flew through my trees on an orange rope. 

I am so grateful that back in the 80's and 90's my husband worked for a computer company and my son became enamored with all the hardware and software that he would bring home (legally).  Andy went to college, got his degree and has a successful career. He travels to far-off places, has his adventures but doesn't do anything in his job that would cause his dear old mother to pull her hair out because of stress.  However, I bet he would love to change jobs with Zack for a day or two because that young man certainly looked like he was doing something he loved and by the look on his face when he had completed the job, he had had a great time.

Free to be, free to be, but not me.  A three-step ladder will take me as high as I wish to see.
 

35 comments:

  1. That's two steps higher than I'm willing to go lol.

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    1. In the hopes of staying vertical, Delores, it is better that we keep our feet flat on the ground.

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  2. Sawing through that bough looks a job and a half. Bet you were so relieved that it all went smoothly. Well done to your son Andy in his career, Wonder what Zack would have made of all intricacies of IT - everybody's good at something.

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  3. Those tree guys are the eighth wonder of the world, no doubt about it. We were looking over our old elm yesterday, pointing out where swinging men on orange ropes trimmed it up--was it really fifteen years ago. We know it will fall away from the house when it goes, the only thing that keeps us from making the call.

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    1. Would you like Zack's phone number, Joanne. Better to be safe than sorry.

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  4. I was 30 feet up a eucalyptus tree when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit in 1989. I no longer climb.

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    1. I love California but I always worry about earthquakes when I am out there.

      Did you get down off that tree the easy or hard way, Geo?

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    2. I was in full climbing gear, so got down in one piece but only stopped shaking an hour ago.

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  5. My partner's nephews chosen jobs have them on roofs and up trees. Scary, scary times.

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  6. Arleen, We had trees trimmed early in the summer. We had a fellow swinging through the trees like a monkey as well. He actually did a better job then the the guys we've used previously. Everyone has a talent! Hugs, Bonnie

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    1. Yes, they do Bonnie. Some have more fun with their talents than others though.

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  7. I hadn't realised it was quite so BIG. With Zack as comparison, I can see why you were worried.

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    1. I behaved like a mother and let out a few audibles; Zach behaved like a young professional and flew through the air with the greatest of ease and did a great job.

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  8. Three steps are about as much as I do, too. But I am so glad that some folks like higher elevations. Thanks for your good wishes. I've got the chic black boot.

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    1. Wear your "oh so fashionable" boot with pride. It is a sign of survival.

      I was told I would have to wear mine for six weeks, but I only did it for four. I probably should have listened to the doctors, but my foot seemed fine.

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  9. Zack could very well be a descendant of Tarzan's! That's definitely not a job I'd apply for! Not my cup of tree at all!

    Have a wonderful weekend, Arleen. :)

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  10. I know whatcha mean. Even though I was a tree-climber as a kid, I was never a happy camper when our kids went up a tree. No way I'd want any of them to do the things those tree pros do. We had some enormous pine beetle-infested pine trees removed in the early '70s, and those guys scrambled up those big ol' branchless trunks like they were running on level ground. And went waaaaay up to the pinnacle to lop off the top and work their way down. Amazing. Those guys have it down to a science. We had some of them come in last year to take out a rotten sweet gum tree, too, that was precariously close to the house, and with no room for error. They managed to get it down without hitting the house, the air conditioner, an outbuilding, or the fence. Absolutely precise work. The professionals charge a pretty penny, but they more than earn it.

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    1. Yes, they certainly earn their money, Susan. I also think they really enjoy their job.

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  11. Hi Arleen,

    I knew somebody who became a tree surgeon. Was located at a certain office of the tree surgeons union. I asked him which branch.

    You wouldn't get me up no tree like that either. Although, being from Canada, I did try a bit of lumber-jacking. Okay, I did a bit of log rolling and fell off into the water.

    Gary

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  12. Thank goodness that very brave man was able to safely swing through your trees. I would've been too afraid to even watch.

    Julie

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    1. Watching them, although interesting, caused me to have quite a bit of anxiety. I am hoping that the rest of the big trees stay strong and tall.

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  13. We had one of these Tarzan swing through our trees recently too. They too had orange ropes and as far as I could see they were perfectly safe.

    I think you need training for this without which you wouldn’t get insurance cover.

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    1. I wonder what kind of school they go to - maybe one named Swingers r Us, or maybe not.

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  14. Dear Arleen, several years ago, I hired someone to cut down a maple tree that was leaning toward the house. I strong wind, I feared, could send it toppling onto the tin roof over the kitchen. While there, he noted that another tree needed to be thinned. Come to find out, if trees limbs get too dense, they form a wall that the wind hits and topples.

    Like you, I watched the young man climb the branches and go way too far out on them for my comfort. But as you noted, these young men seem to enjoy the adventure. I'm too much of a scaredy-cat! Peace.

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  15. Hey, maybe I can write a song about it and we can get Dylan to sing it. Make enough money to pay for Zack's services and pepto for his mom. Wish your son could help me find my child's i-pad. It is somewhere in the house, the RV, or the truck, possible the pick-up. Jody, The Medicare Mom

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  16. I've enjoyed the post and looking at the lovely photos of your trees, thank you. Zack looks quite comfortable in amongst the branches. He must have a good head for heights!

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  17. I love the new banner pic - gorgeous! Not so gorgeous are your poor trees. It's so weird the way they exploded like that. That guy is a real daredevil! Thank goodness everything worked out, and your son isn't in the tree-pruning business. :-)

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  18. You know I am so proud of your son - and I am glad my son chose that way too - because we worry as mother's - BUT you know some kids they just don't belong in suits and offices. Right? sandie

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  19. I have to admire this guy and all guys like him! He looks very at home doing that job. We have trees in our back garden but nothing as big as these!

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  20. How big was that tree?! Bless that Zach. My own son would have been up there with him, back in the day!

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