Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A Tale About Trees

The last two days have been quite an experience.  We have 7 trees in our yard and had a tree-trimmer come and trim six of them.  Were talking a major trim job.  He was very good, but to keep our cost down, he doesn't do his own clean up. 






He came on Monday afternoon and by supper time he had done four trees.  We began to clean up the mess.  Lynn would saw and I would carry the pieces to a place at the back of  our garden to burn them.  By 7:00 pm we were already exhausted, and didn't seem to have made much of a dent.  Lynn had taken off work for Monday and Tuesday so that we could get this done.  He said to me, "Do you think we could get anyone to help us?"  He seemed so discouraged. 

I remembered that it was Spring Break.  So I immediately e-mailed several people in church who I thought might have contact with teen-agers, pleading for anyone available to come and help, and we would pay them.
By 9:30 pm I had received a call from one of the boys and he said there would be two of them coming.

What a blessing and a total God-send.  These boys were such hard workers. By noon we had almost the entire mess cleaned up.  However, the tree-trimmer was coming back that afternoon to do the other 2 trees.  The boys said, no problem!  Give us a call when he's done and we'll come back. 

He finished trimming at 3:30 pm and by 5:00 we were finished.  We thanked the boys, paid them and told them they had been a God-send.  They told us anytime we had work to give them a call.

Not only were Lynn and I so encouraged and thrilled to have our yard nice and clean.  It also restored my faith in young people.  These 2 boys were so cheerful and pleasant to work with, and it was a joy to get to know them. 

This is the fire that we kept going all day.  It doesn't look very large here but there were times that it was huge.  There was quite a lot of wind, But we watched it and it did very well.  (I think we did singe the grass
just a little). I couldn't believe how much we burned.  Lynn also cut up quite a bit of it for firewood.  




The above 2 pictures are the "after" pics.  I thought it was interesting that I also got the shadows of the trees.  Apparently the sun was just at the right spot to cast these shadows. 

It was a truly exhausting job, but we are so glad to have it done.  The plus side is that I also now have a farmer's tan.  Why didn't I wear a sleeveless top?!  I also have some very sore leg muscles.  But this, too, shall pass.

12 comments:

Cindy said...

It's always nice to hear about young people who are willing to help. I hope I've raised my own kids to be that way. So often we hear about the negative where kids are concerned and not about the ones who are caring and responsible...and not afraid of hard work.

Carol said...

You have been busy and praise the Lord for your help!

I always smile when I hear my American friends call their 'back garden' the "Yard".
Here in England a 'yard' is a small concrete area with not much greenary (if any at all). Anything larger than a 'yard' is classed as a garden. We sometimes watch real estate tv programs where the agent shows prospective buyers around the house and then takes them into the 'yard' - which just happens to be HUGE (for a yard!)!!!
We just love America and hope to visit again soon.
Have a blessed week.

Dee said...

That sure was lot of clean up to be done...I am happy you found two hard working young men to help. The teens get a bad wrap in the news these days as the reporters only like to report the out of control teens. There are many boys like these two.:) I got a chuckle out of the farmers tan. Each year I tell myself to keep my sleeves rolled up and each year...I get a farmers tan.

Bernie said...

You know Donna I have so much trouble finding someone to help me around my home without charging an arm and a leg, I am wondering if I could find a couple of teenagers from my church to help....you have given me hope at least.
Your yard looks so good, green and clean. Our Spring is 2 - 3 weeks behind you but I still am enjoying the nicer weather....:-) Hugs

Diana said...

Wow the before and after was such a contrast! So glad that you were able to get help from the boys! It seems harder and harder to get things done on our own anymore! I only wish my teen was as helpful! She helps, just doesn't LIKE to!!! Love Di ♥

Rebecca said...

Great news - work accomplished and young men who will work!

When I get home, I'm going to call you to find out who your trimmer was. We have a few trees that need serious help.

(I might need the names of those two boys, too!!!!)

Your yard looks great!

Wanda..... said...

Your tree trimer did an excellent job, Donna. They ended up looking very natural, even after all those branches came off. We've been doing some burning of branches and yard cleanup here also.
Your yard looks very nice, the boys did a good job...you too of course.
♥...Wanda

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Beautiful yard! And so very big... I'd love some room to roam! Thankful for young men who aren't afraid to sweat. So many today are lazy and unwilling to earn an honest dollar. It was nice of you to think of them; now...

do you know if they'll help me pack up my house?:)

Blessings to you this weekend.

peace~elaine

anupama said...

Dear Donna,
NAMASTE!
Good Morning!
You are such ablessed soul and you deserve help.God helps those who help themselves!
What a beautiful scenery!So beautiful premises you have!
Wishing you a beautiful weekend,
Sasneahm,
Anu

annie said...

So nice to read about something wonderful that young people have done. Often, the news is bombarded with negativity about young people. I don't think we give them enough credit and sometimes, since those years were so long ago I forget that I was once that age as well. Your yard looks grand!!! And a tan to boot!!! Hope the legs are feeling better!!

Cousin Carol said...

Wow what a lot of work. I know it is worth it when you see the trees trimmed and the yard clean. It was nice to know you had such good help.

Brenda said...

Wow! Donna, that looks great! I am so glad that you got help. How nice to have that accomplished. It must have been very important to Lynn to take two days off of work!