Do you ever post a photo and wonder if you’ve already used it in a previous post? That well might be the case with this one. (I used the Hipstamatic App on my iPhone for this neat, vintage look.) Since we are supposed to have 1 to 3 inches of snow today and freezing rain, I thought some cheery flowers were in order.
The tree is down. I left the house at 9:00 and stayed away until about 3:00. Since I spent the time away from a cottage at a huge mall, I was suffering from mall burnout. I actually dislike malls intensely, but I had to go to the Apple Store and the nearest one to us is….you guessed it….in a mall. By the time I had some lunch and took care of business, my eyes were stinging and the lighting was getting to me. I kept in touch with Don all day.
Call one: The branches are all down and they are meticulous about clean-up.
Call two: They’re on a lunch break.
Call three: They’re back and are taking down the trunk.
Call four: You’d better stall a bit if you don’t want to get upset. Get some lunch.
Call five: Still taking down the tree.
Call six: It’s down, you can come home.
So I drove up the driveway and saw the massive trunk in pieces all over the yard. I cried a bit. It was shocking but, truth be told, I spent a lot of time preparing myself and had reconciled myself to it. The yard looks even more barren, as there is mud everywhere, and the willow tree helped to mask it. I didn’t take any pictures. I recorded Hurricane Irene’s destruction of our trees last fall. I don’t need to do it a second time.
But, what can you do? It had to come down. The tree was easily 90 – 100′ high and it was huge. The 3 guys who took it down worked tirelessly and cheerfully from 9 in the morning until 7 that night. It was a lot of money for us but, in reality, a very good deal considering the size of the tree and the amazing job they did.
And in the glass half-full department, I was doing some work in the guest room/office which looks out on the front yard and noticed that I could see the mountains and creek from the window. We’d never had that view before because of the tree.
Let’s see, what else is positive? I won’t have to clean up endless branches after a wind storm.
And we no longer have to worry about it falling on our house or our neighbor’s house. And we worried about that a lot.
Our neighbors must be sick of hearing the noise of machinery around this place. It’s been a noisy two weeks. And an emotional two weeks.
My plan for today? Laze around. Avoid looking out the front window. Dream about my garden. Crochet. Read.
What’s your plan for the day?
Claudia, You are doing the right thing…thinking positive. I thought of you yesterday. Don and you have had enough unplanned events for awhile. Take care, smiles, Susie
“Glass Half Full” is the best way to think. Change isn’t always bad, though it may seem that way in the beginning.
It’s cold and raining here, so I will be working inside. With our new dog, who is not allowed in the basement where I usually work, I will bring a small project or two upstairs and work in the dining room … after I pad the table and put down dropcloths, of course.
I’m like you- I hate to lose a tree. We had to cut down a big one by the corner of our house right after we moved in and I was sick about it. We replaced it but, of course, will not see it in its full glory in our lifetime.
My dd is here from about 100 miles south and we have a sleet/rain/snow storm going on. I hope it is all cleared up by evening as she has to drive home with her two little boys.
Happy Hump Day! xo Diana
Reading that post brought tears to my eyes. But I think it’s perfectly natural to get attached to a beautiful piece of Creation.
Sorry about having to wait it out at the mall. I hate those places too. When I do have to go to the mall (like when I needed the stainless steel measuring spoons that only the kitchen store had), I get in and out as quickly as possible. What I can’t figure out is WHO buys all the clothes from the huge number of clothing stores??? How can they possibly stay in business.
Sounds like you did okay under the circumstances. I like that you now have a view that you didn’t have before.
Plant spruce or pine trees….they grow fast. I don’t know if they are able to grow where you live. We live in a former Christmas Tree farm……..too many. Many of us had to cut down s0me just to breathe. They have a small root system. We all have septic systems and I haven’t heard of the trees roots disturbing them.
I hate malls as well. I hardly ever go there anymore. We do have an outdoor mall with an Archivers, PB, and other nice stores. I will once in awhile and just go in the stores I like to look around. That isn’t even often anymore.
Today I am back to watching kids…..been off two weeks from being ill. I doubt if anything else gets done other than that. I will be zapped. Hope to make spaghetti for the Hubby since he is still healing from dental surgery.
Hope the day goes well for you.
((((HUGS))))
Claudia, I wanted to leave a comment yesterday, and I simply couldn’t come up with something to say that didn’t sound trite, or insincere.
I am so sorry that the tree had to come down..it’s heartbreaking.
Your positive attitude will certainly carry you through the rough spots. Trees are so part of our lives, it’s like loosing a friend.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
We lost a tree out front that was young to a disease and it was in the yard in front of my kitchen window where I am all the time. I missed it so much hubby put a new one in and now I pass the seasons with it. Hey question for you? Is you stats page frozen? My blogger one has not changed since yesterday. Just frozen at some point yesterday afternoon.
Now you can plant something small that blooms and won’t abstruct your view , but will be pretty to look at when you gaze out that widow .
It’s a new day. I think you managed the trauma very well. Everyone is different, but you may be surprised at how quickly you move past it all. I hope winter doesn’t hold on too long for you. Your sweet little cottage needs a perfect spring.
Oh Claudia, I certainly empathize with you! I did a post a year and a half or so ago about “death in our backyard” You guessed it..an OLD tree…I did watch all day and couldn’t believe the talent of the men who took it down. I was so upset until they split the base and there it was…rot. Still was so hard. We love what we love don’t we? Thank you also for the “glass 1/2 full” I often need reminded.
Hate the mall as well..as another poster says, who buys all that stuff? All I know is it isn’t me! LOL
Hope everyone has a great day…and Elaine, things have seemed a bit off on the counter, etc, but then, could just be ME! LOl
Hi Claudia!
I never like to see a tree taken down. It is almost like a death… at least in nature.
When we moved into our Texas home there was a “forest” of oak trees just behind our fence line. Behind that was a beautiful meadow full of wildlife. We were mislead to think that it was a green belt. Imagine my horror when the next spring the bulldozers showed up to PUSH them over.
It was not a quick death from the chain saw, but a long agonizing process of pushing and and pulling. (These were 40 to 60 foot trees.) It was almost like I could hear them screaming and moaning… or was that just me?
I was sick to my stomach just thinking about all the little creatures… especially all the nesting birds and their babies.
Now there are just rooftops to look at. At least here at our new Desert home we have the golf course and there is no chance of seeing that horrific slaughter of trees here.
xoxo Bunny Jean
Good. I’m glad that’s over and done. How about a nap?
S
xo
They’re like old friends, those trees. I feel for you, but you did the right thing.
I’ll be making a birthday dinner for the man, it’s rainy/sleety here.
Dear Claudia,
I know how you feel- —3 years ago we had to take down a very huge tree, in our driveway- it was very old, and beautiful, but starting to rotten on the roots– like you I felt it was terribly empty for a long time, but I was happy about not being worrying it would fall into the road-on a car–or into our house.
I alwayes try to have the half full glass in mind .
Hugs to you- and so beautiful you can now see the mountains.
Dorthe
I am going to steal some of that positive thinking that’s going on over there at your beautiful cottage! Good for you….and Don….well he’s just the dearest man in the world now isn’t he? I loved the phone calls and play by play he did to protect you from being hurt! Whew!! It’s over and you are moving on to new adventures.
Yes, your Don is so sweet to keep you advised. We lost a beauitful pepper tree a few years back, felt like a family member had died. That tree shaded us in the summer, hid Easter Eggs for my daughter when she was young in special places, held her pinatas for birthdays, and shared many dinners in the evenings! We miss it a lot, but there is a new tree in its place we are lovingly watch grow. You sound so much better today and isn’t it great to be able to see the mountains?
Just an aside, yesterday I tried to post on your site and Blogger wouldn’t let me in. Today it seems to be fine! Wonder why it did that?
Hi Claudia, well, you survived…and I felt your pain along the way – hoping my positive energy and good thoughts
helped you some. Another plus, your yard looks the worst this time of year, so things will only look better come spring. Love that you have a new view now, isn’t that the proverbial one door closing, another one opening? Not so original, but still relevant!
Ciao, Bella! xxoo
I wish we were getting snow here in NC. It’s 66 and rainy. Tomorrow 80. Everything is in bloom in February! Crazy.
The vintage looking photo is so cool!!! Looks like it’s right out of a magazine from the 60’s or 70’s… very nice
I think you have to look at the positive and the fact that you noticed a new view of the mountains has some meaning if you think about it. Spring will be here soon and you will be able to reinvent your yard a little and make a new space…maybe dedicate it to the willow!~Hugs, Patti
I know it was a hard week for you but now it’s done! Just keep on thinking of the good! I’m hoping for some sun tomorrow…I think I need it. hugs, Linda
It’s always sad to lose a tree. Hugs Claudia x
Malls plus the Apple store would have driven me to strong drink. Not to mention the loss of the grand willow and I applaud your positive thoughts. I am getting to you late in the day but I baked five dozen cookies for the teens who will be here Friday and then I cut the grass in the back yard with my push mower. Yard work and gardening bring me peace. Thank you for your comment.
See there, there’s always a silver lining!!
Betty
Wait: we’re NOT supposed to re-post pictures? I do it all the time!
We lost a stand of Mountain Ash trees last year…it was painful, but they were so sick and needed to come down. It was such a lovely grove of trees…
Sorry, the above comment is for your previous post, didn’t want to delete it. And your this post is also great.
Hi Claudia,
When my husband and I lived in Florida, we lost a very special tree. It was a very large oak tree…so beautiful. The previous owners had started the tree from an acorn that was brought from a cemetery where they had a loved one buried. It had grown into a large tree by the time we bought the house. The couple who had planted the acorn were the original owners. They had lived in France and had brought plans back and rebuilt the same house they lived in during the time they were in France in Florida. It was a special house and the tree was special to me as soon as I heard the story. My husband and I put in a swimming pool for my children at the house. I designed it myself. The property was large and there was tons of room for a pool. Problem is that the tree they planted was really close to the back of the house where the pool would be. The pool guys wanted me to cut down the tree. Nothing doing! We told him the tree would have to be somewhat near the pool because we were not cutting it down. We did have to trim a large branch or two off, but I was okay with that. One day, after the pool was in…maybe a couple of years after we bought the house, the lady who sold me the home’s grown kids drove by. They were there for the funeral, sadly, of the lady who had sold me the home. We asked if they would like to come in and look at the house. They loved all the changes we had made to improve the home and said the owner would have been pleased. I opened the door to take the couple out to see the pool. As I was walking out with them, I explained the story of us keeping the tree because I knew the story of how the owner had started it from an acorn and that it was from a cemetery where a loved one was buried. When the daughter of the deceased former owner of our home heard this, she cried. I will never forget it. Sadly, we got a terrible hurricane the year before we moved out here to Washington State…7 years ago. This storm cracked the tree in half and damaged it to the point that we knew that if we did not take it down it would fall down and probably damage house and pool. Sadly, my husband and brother had to cut it down. We all cried, but there was nothing we could do. No alternative. I saved the acorns from that tree….it seemed to help me deal with it. There were tons of acorns and I saved an entire ziplock bag of them. Sometimes, in life, we have to do things that are hard….things that we would rather not do…but we have no choice. I can so relate to you missing your tree and the sadness to lose it. Maybe you could start a new tree in the honor of your old one. Or…how about taking a limb and shaving it down and making it into a walking stick? Before all your wood is gone, maybe there is someway you can save something from it to ease your heart as I did the acorns. Love to you, Claudia. xoxo Kim
Hi Claudia,
When my husband and I lived in Florida, we lost a very special tree. It was a very large oak tree…so beautiful. The previous owners had started the tree from an acorn that was brought from a cemetery where they had a loved one buried. It had grown into a large tree by the time we bought the house. The couple who had planted the acorn were the original owners. They had lived in France and had brought plans back and rebuilt the same house they lived in during the time they were in France in Florida. It was a special house and the tree was special to me as soon as I heard the story. My husband and I put in a swimming pool for my children at the house. I designed it myself. The property was large and there was tons of room for a pool. Problem is that the tree they planted was really close to the back of the house where the pool would be. The pool guys wanted me to cut down the tree. Nothing doing! We told him the tree would have to be somewhat near the pool because we were not cutting it down. We did have to trim a large branch or two off, but I was okay with that. One day, after the pool was in…maybe a couple of years after we bought the house, the lady who sold me the home’s grown kids drove by. They were there for the funeral, sadly, of the lady who had sold me the home. We asked if they would like to come in and look at the house. They loved all the changes we had made to improve the home and said the owner would have been pleased. I opened the door to take the couple out to see the pool. As I was walking out with them, I explained the story of us keeping the tree because I knew the story of how the owner had started it from an acorn and that it was from a cemetery where a loved one was buried. When the daughter of the deceased former owner of our home heard this, she cried. I will never forget it. Sadly, we got a terrible hurricane the year before we moved out here to Washington State…7 years ago. This storm cracked the tree in half and damaged it to the point that we knew that if we did not take it down it would fall down and probably damage house and pool. Sadly, my husband and brother had to cut it down. We all cried, but there was nothing we could do. No alternative. I saved the acorns from that tree….it seemed to help me deal with it. There were tons of acorns and I saved an entire ziplock bag of them. Sometimes, in life, we have to do things that are hard….things that we would rather not do…but we have no choice. I can so relate to you missing your tree and the sadness to lose it. Maybe you could start a new tree in the honor of your old one. Or…how about taking a limb and shaving it down and making it into a walking stick? Before all your wood is gone, maybe there is someway you can save something from it to ease your heart as I did the acorns. Love to you, Claudia. xoxo Kim
Glad you made it through the day. I like the half full department, stay positive! Have fund dreaming about your garden, spring is just around the corner.
So happy that through the sadness of losing your tree, you are able to see the mountains from your window. I am just like you in the mall. I refuse to go. The lights drive me crazy. Hope your snow is over soon. I am so happy that March has arrived and spring is popping out all over here.
Laura
WELL…..ITS DOWN……SAD….YES…. BUT YOU ARE A BRAVE PERSON AND YOU CAN NOW LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW AND SEE ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL VIEW……..RELAX AND CROCHET………AND ENJOY THE VIEW……..RIZZI
I’m with you on malls. Sooo dislike them! Like how you try to see the positives … but still