You have all seen many pictures and heard me refer to my friend and guardian, Grandfather Oak.

Grandfather Oak was planted by the grandfather of an elderly gentleman I knew. The old fellow was 82 when he passed away 7 or 8 years ago. As best as I can guess, Grandfather Oak is well over 120 years old. After hurricane Gustav (tropical storm when it hit here) I notice a split in Grandfather Oak. This is what I saw when I pulled into the shop this afternoon.

I really can't say much right now, still in shock I guess  (crying)

sundown

Awwwww  *hugs*

I can't imagine the shock you felt when you first saw this, Sundown.  Your heart must have sank as mine did when I first saw the pictures.    Hopefully you can salvage his offspring and begin to build a new legacy for Grandfather Oak.      God/ess knows he deserves it....Hugs, my brother, my friend.

I truely know how you must feel Sundown. Sometimes we take for granted that old friends like Grandfather Oak will be around forever. It seems unimaginable that you could ever be without them in your life. I'm truely saddened for your loss my friend.    These past few months have taught me a great deal about taking for granted that loved ones will always be there. I hope your fond memories of Grandfather Oak continue to live on in your heart. You might want to think about honoring his spirit through some of your beautiful wood workings using the wood from Grandfather himself. This way he'll never truely be gone. His spirit will have just changed form . I know its not much consolation my friend. I just committed my parents ashes to the sea yeasterday. I was very saddened by it all. Not even their aquatic escorts made me feel any better (a school of dolphins surfaced and circled the vessel just as it slipped beneath the surface of the ocean). May you be blessed with brighter days my friend.

Draco

Awwww, such a bummer.  Unfortunately everthing must come to an end.  Luckily you were there to appreiciate that tree .......

*hugs Draco too*

It's all about the wheel of life turning I guess. I can remember as a young girl walking amongst the giant ancient redwood trees (many of those giants were here before the time of Christ). I couldn't fathom why developers thought they had the right to deprive us of their beauty...or the trees their time to live.
Grandfather Oak may yet surprise you...he doesn't look like he feels his time is over yet, but if it is at least his was the natural ending to a long life well lived. He still looks quite grand, though serverly wounded.

Blessings

I must agree with eeyoresgirl!  

Work continues. Widowmaker. The most dangerous chain saw work I have ever done. But I will do it. NO one else!

Good to see you're moving along Sun *hugs*  Be careful with the chainsaw!!!!

only cleaning up so far, lots of thought.

for perspective, that is a 3/4 ton extended cab truck in front of it

Lots of stress

but always something to stay busy with, if I didn't work so cheap I would fire my sorry a$$

Sundown

You're slowly but surely moving along...though I think your garden might be a bit mad at you....just a thought....There wouldn't be anyway to possibly transplant some of Granddaddy would there?

probably mad at the heat, i had to up the amount of watering,  

Sundown

Please be extremely careful with that chain saw my friend. I remember helping my father in law with the clean up on his farm in W.Va. some years back. We used the bucket on his tractor relieve some of the stress on the timber that needed it so the cutting was a little less dangerous. I hope you have a buddy or two in your area that are willing to help you. It will be much easier if you do and much safer. Best of luck to you and by all means be careful.

Blessings,

Draco

The garden looks like it is as tired of the heat as everyone else is...but in a few months it will all be worth it. All kinds of garden goodies....of course there you go with more work to harvest and prepare them. Guess you can't fire yourself til winter comes....

BB