" The greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances". - Martha Washington

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Clean up

Tree service came to take out tree that fell over our power line to house Tuesday.  Made quick work of it and cleaned up really well, very professional and thorough.  I am surprised they came the very next morning when they said they would with all the downed trees in the area and beyond.



The day before was so pretty with the heavy snow hanging off of the hemlock.  I heard from tree service people and read that the Eastern Hemlock is under attack by an Asian sap sucking insect.  A wooly adelgid.
Serious in that it threatens to eliminate all of the Eastern Hemlock in the Shenandoah National park.   
We have removed one from the side yard as it was leaning and  should never have been planted there to begin with. People just don't think that these forest trees will ever get as big as they do.  The one in the middle back yard shouldn't be there either. They are more forest trees than yard trees.  Very messy but I will leave it for now. 
As seen below it is growing quite tall.  Around it are dogwoods and a few of them could even come out.  I have little dogwoods coming up that I am pulling out here and there.  They grow like weeds.  A few hemlocks I have pulled and have growing in pots. 

The Eastern hemlock is called the mighty red wood of the East.  Sad so many have died due to a nasty insect from Japan. Some trees were 500 years old. Reading from this article Shenandoah: The Hemlock's Last Stand | Vermont Invasives (vtinvasives.org)  I don't see when this was written.  

View from jalousie porch.  Would like to replace the windows but more important things to take care of at the moment.


The sky was magnificent this evening at sunset.  It was so vibrant a sunset.  

I just could not stop watching it set. The colors of orange, pink, yellow and in between was a sight to behold. 

Now on to this little book
 my sister sent me from Maine.  It was printed in 1925 and has some wonderful recipes.  Desserts.



Good evening, 
Betsy




11 comments:

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Betsy,
How very sad that yet another of the majestic Hemlock's has come down.
Did mention them here as well: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/01/skyline-drive-shenandoah-river-in.html
You also have the power line above ground, making things even more complex.
On the news we saw how I-95 in Virginia got stuck; what a shame with this unwilling to action present governor!
Oh, there are always surprises coming our way when owning a home and grounds...
As I type this, the 2 painters have just come to hopefully finish their exterior project. About time since November 29th!
Hugs,
Mariette

Betsy said...

Dear Mariette, how ironic it is that Glen Youngkin who does not take office as governor of Va until January 15th gets blamed for the I-95 mess. Northam was in it and sent out a tweet about it, which I am not on twitter and WILL not be, until 8 a.m. next morning - https://www.foxnews.com/media/interstate-95-snow-traffic-jam-blame-glenn-youngkin-not-ralph-northam-tucker
Wow, the crazies are out early. I have noticed since then there are many N.Y. state license plates in around our area and beyond. I wonder why?
The tree that was broken and taken down was a cedar tree. I am glad it wasn't the hemlock beside it in front near drive. I believe that large tree holds back erosion in that area of our yard. I know you hare happy to see the painting done and over with. We are still waiting on our storm door, everything is taking some time to get right now. Hugs, Betsy

Miss Merry said...

Aren't those tree guys amazing? We had several large trees taken down in our neighborhood this past summer and it was so fun to watch them (especially for my grandsons). Often we would take lawn chairs and sit in an adjoining lawn just to watch at a safe distance. We had five or six Ash trees on our property. Our state was invaded by Emerald Ash Borers and the trees were infested and needed to come down; a row was between us and a neighbor and would land on her roof. One day some men were slowly driving up and down our street and writing things down. My husband went to see what they were up to. Well, they were writing a bid for the city on taking down ash trees on city property. He asked how much they would charge to take ours down and since they were between jobs (waiting on various big project bids) they took them all down for the price of one tree! It was a lucky afternoon at our house. Thank you nosy husband.

It sounded like the highway in Virginia did not have any entrance or exit ramps where the worst weather fell, making it difficult to reach the stranded motorists. Hopefully everyone will remember winter safety rules and pack their car with blankets and other items needed if you become stranded in a storm. I guess they aren't as used to bad weather as much as northern states. Those kits make great Christmas gifts.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Large trees sure so hold erosion!
Glad it was not your Hemlock...
Oh, the crazy, crazy things that you hear and see.
Feeling for all those people stuck for some 24 hours in the cold.
Also now has come out that the electric car's battery does not hold up well in freezing temperatures. The TRUTH always comes out.
Hugs,
Mariette

Betsy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Betsy said...

Hi Mariette, I had to delete a comment to you because of so many typos, my keys are sticking bad, and a new keyboard is coming. What I wanted to say is I felt for those stranded too. A gentleman who was delivering bread gave it out to the stranded motorists. Good Man! Yes indeed the truth always comes out and it's not funny but still gives me a chuckle at what people will throw their money away on without doing any research.

Betsy said...

Yes, Miss Merry those tree people are very good at what they do. McCormick came out right away accessed the situation and then gave us a time he would be out which was 8:30 a.m. on the dot. They clean up so well, we hardly can tell where the tree was.
My husband is like your husband, and we are lucky at that. You know, weather happens, and I remember being out with my dad and mom really young getting stranded in the back roads in Va. We know how to take care of ourselves, Dad taught us well. I probably would have started walking to the nearest ramp, done it before when kids were small, and car would break down late. Had to. Always blankets, water, pillow, extra change of clothes left in my compartment in car always. Extra batteries, flares, flashlight and on the ready for someone up to no good. This day and time, I am playing it safe. You would think people traveling in winter would think that it may snow, right? You are right those kits would make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Never mind, hope you soon get a new keyboard so that annoying thing is past.
There are still lots of people with a BIG heart, that help out others. They usually don't make the 'fake' news.
You are a clever lady and like both of us, we do our homework!
Big hugs,
Mariette

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

So glad the tree folks responded so quickly to your request, Betsy. It's really sad about the hemlocks as they are so pretty and add so much to the landscape! Your snow is so pretty. And the old recipe books look so interesting. Those old recipes are usually wonderful. I have a few that came with my Mama's old stove. Take care and stay warm and cozy!

Pam said...

Your snow pics are amazing. I love them. Looks like a lot for sure. I did not know that tree is a Hemlock. I was just telling someone last week when we got snow that I loved how it laid on them. Thanks for sharing.

Betsy said...

Thank you Pam. I do like how the snow hangs on them too. I have several I have started in pots, I guess they are still there, as I haven't checked lately.