Monday, April 1, 2019

I Have Learned . . .

I have learned that:

~  when I am wide awake at 2:30 a.m. and decide to go out to the couch to read, I should take a flashlight.

~  when washing the sleep out of my eyes, it's best to remove my glasses first.

~  when buttermilk pancakes are burned on one side, they don't taste quite as good.

~  when I put clothes in the dryer, they will dry faster if I actually turn on the dryer.

~  when I split wood for kindling with my hand ax for a little over two hours straight and haven't done it since last fall, more muscles in my body  complain than just my right hand and arm.

* * * * * * * *

This is no April Fool's joke, folks, we got out this morning and started on our goal of having all next season's wood cut, split and stacked under cover by the end of this month.  (What's the best way to get a job done?  Start it.)


While I worked on making kindling, Papa Pea cut the 8' long logs into smaller pieces.


Chop, chop, chop with my little hand ax.  (Yes, I dress for success.)

18 comments:

Nancy In Boise said...

Been there done those too! That's a lot of hard work stay warm@

wisps of words said...

Ohhh, did you hit your toe, walking out to couch, without a flashlight?????? -sigh-

On the glasses on when wiping eyes, at least the glasses got a washing toooooo!

Just looking at that huge, huge, hugs pile of wood, waiting to be "fixed," gives me the vapors!!! I kid you not!!!! (Pass the smelling salts please....)

With all that chopping, if you take some Tylenol tonight, you might sleep well, though....... Might.... Yes, I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons here. -grin-

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Mama Pea said...

Nancy - We both truly enjoy the whole wood working process and it's such good exercise. Hard work, yes, but the kind that feels good!

wisps of words - I think I probably will take the homeopathic remedy we use (Arnica) instead of Tylenol. But now a few hours after I've been in and doing more "regular" stuff, I'm not feeling bad at all. Hubby says I'll be in good shape for when gardening begins this year! I told him thanks. ;o}

Leigh said...

Turning the dryer on - yes, I've learned that the same way!

The Wykeham Observer said...

Yes, the biggest problem for me is always the starting of the job.

Goatldi said...

Oh Mama Pea!

Isn't experience as opposed to need the "mother of invention?" the key to it all.
I have learned so much since last October. And I wouldn't of had it any other way.

It is a learning curve incorporating time, skill and physical tolerance. I am so happy to have all three, often in the same space, as you do I know. Thank God we can still get it going in the right direction, no?

wyomingheart said...

Words of wisdom from a wise one! Not that I know anything about those events actually happening...lol... Almost all chores here on the ridge are like that ole saying, " how do you eat an elephant?...one bite at a time!" Seems like I just gotta keep chewing, and then before I know it, the elephant is gone! Haha! And then of course, it's off to the next elephant!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Why do we do these things to ourselves? Two hours straight of splitting wood would definitely have your body complaining, especially if you haven't been doing it regularly. I hope you did get a good night sleep. Sleep is so important, but so fleeting for some. -Jenn

Sam I Am...... said...

You are such a hoot! I so look forward to your posts! Love your 'dress for success'....you should see some of things I wear around here. I think in the morning...'oh it's okay, I'm not going anywhere....no one will see me" and then I forget and go uptown for something and people look at me funny. One day a gal that works in the grocery store, took me aside and told me I had my sweatshirt inside out...they see the gray hair and think we're all 'slipping' but actually I wear my sweatshirts inside out sometimes on purpose.
As for chopping wood...my daughter and I always loved it too. We had a frost the last couple nights here but today is supposed to be 66 F so I plan on picking up all the debris from Winter...lots of branches! I'll see if the old mower will start and if so I may mow as it could use it already and there's more rain coming this week. I know what you mean about taking trees down but then you'll have more firewood too! I have a feeling that just picking up sticks today will wear me out for anything else. To think, back in the day, I could work outside all day long...what happened? Take care and take it slow....those muscles have been hibernating all Winter!LOL!

Mama Pea said...

Leigh - Even though using the clothes dryer is quicker, I'm waiting for the days to be warm enough (when Mother Nature finally turns on her dryer!) so that I can hang the clothes out.

Phil - Same here and yet once I DO start, I kick myself for all the angst I felt knowing I should start but kept putting it off. Funny, we human being are, eh?

Goatldi - A hearty "amen" to your last sentence, my friend!

wyomingheart - Do you think ALL the elephants will ever be gone? Nah, me neither! ;o}

Jenn - Happy to report this morning that although I woke at 11:30 last night, went back to sleep, woke again at 1:30 but REFUSED to get up. Took a little while but I did fall back asleep in bed. This morning I am suffering no discomfort from my "workout" yesterday. Both hubby and I kidded this morning that even though we don't use all the muscles needed for "summer time" work all winter, we still can make them cooperate without having to call in a chiropractor or crane to get us out of bed!! We're thankful.

Sam I Am - It sure would be ideal if we lived a life where everyday chores (think the old time family farm) used most of our muscles year 'round but most of us don't have that kinda life anymore. I think the best thing is to keep using those muscles (think picking up all the branches in your yard and mowing the lawn) when we need to so they don't atrophy on us. We are not fans of lawn mowing around here (although we do it), so thinking of you having to start this early in the season . . . (((shudder))). ;o)

Frugal in Derbyshire said...

We have been stacking wood ntoo. What a great sight it is.. like money in the bank!
Gill

Mama Pea said...

Gil - That's what my husband always says, "Better than money in the bank!" My grandfather would never change his big wood furnace in the basement of their house because he said if gas or oil was ever unavailable, he could burn the furniture to keep his family warm. To that my grandmother always said, "Oh no, you couldn't!" :o) Thanks for commenting!

Susan said...

Whoa! That is a mountain 'o logs! And you sure look a lot fancier than I do, when you're working outside...

Tanza Erlambang said...

wow...such a great work to cut "the 8' long logs into smaller pieces."
Have a wonderful day

Lynne said...

You made my day! I laughed so hard at your first comments. I've been there so many times. Like when you go to find your glasses and there on your head or when youput the sugar in the frig and leave the milk on the counter. It's nice to know other people do it and can laugh at themselves afterwards. That wood pile looks huge. Wonderful to know that you have enough wood for next season. Ithink you looked very fashionable. Maybe you should of worn your Sunday's best!! Isn't life great as long as you have a sense of humor!! xo

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Fancy? Ha. (Oh, you must have seen my red stiletto heels.) Yeah, right. I'm still wearing my winter boots when I go to town.

Tanza Erlambang - Splitting it all up takes a lot more time than chunking up the logs!

Lynne - That WAS my Sunday's best! ;o)

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Ha ha ha! Oh I had to laugh.

Mama Pea said...

Kristina - Can you relate? :o)