One of the very best things about having a big family is that when you need a job done, there are plenty of people to call! We planned a week-end of firewood chopping and were very grateful when everyone showed up ready to work!
This is an annual event and this year's date happened to fall on the feast of the Guardian Angels.A quick prayer was offered up asking for a SAFE day as this is a dangerous job.We rented a wood splitter and a chain saw to supplement the chainsaws owned by Greg and us.
The little guy was dressed for the part in his flannel shirt and Coonskin cap.
We are very blessed to have a supply of oak trees already cut down along the edge of the yard from when a trail was put in behind us.We used up one of these piles over the last two years and there were two more piles left.
The trees were cut into sections, lifted into the truck, and transported up into the yard.
Then the heavy rounds were thrown off to be split. Jon was able to split about 12 of these sections all lined up in a row faster than the woodsplitter could do for an equal amount!
What a treat it was to have our sons' wives join us in this project. It was so nice to be all together enjoying the
beautiful fall weather and getting some physical exercise! Of course, who's kidding whom? I hardly got outside at all! My job was to supply provisions when it was time for a Union break!
For a morning coffee break we had Costco muffins and juice.At noon, I served a spiral ham with assorted cheeses on potatoe rolls.We had this again for dinner on Saturday. On Sunday after Mass, we had ham and eggs and toast before splitting the rest of the wood. By Sunday afternoon, we had gone through all 10 pounds of ham.
The younger guys helped out as much as they could but safety concerns and the weight of the heavy wood required them to take a more ancillary role.That's OK- someday we'll need them to do most of the work here.
I also helped out by watching my grandson throughout the day so that these two could work together. Larry and I are so hoping to reciprocate in this exchange of labor and we encourage our adult children to call on us for help with projects. I was taught as a child that work is fun and I truly believe it! But, I will go on record to say that the next day I didn't have a single sore muscle unlike all these hard-working folks!!!
Growing up in Vermont, I also learned that the best time to get ready for winter is in the fall. We are enjoying some of the best weather of the year right now. No one wants to have to do this job in January or February.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for keeping us all safe throughout this project and for the family fellowship that we shared. Thank You, also for supplying all that we need. Amen. To every one of our Guardian Angels- Thanks a million. You Rock!
