When Reed is home, one must take advantage of it. He was put to work with the snowblower soon after arrival from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Then there was a couch in the basement that was like a ship-in-the-bottle. No one could remember how the monstrosity got down there. What we do know is that when we tried to take it out in one piece, nearly two years ago, we put a good-sized hole in the wall trying to turn the corner of the stairwell. It didn't make it. So another project was for Reed to dismember the darned thing. He did.
Our firewood supply ran out and Reed's uncle, Neil Heinle, invited us out to his place north of Bismarck where there are several dead Chinese Elm trees. It was the day before the snow storm and the temps were in the low 40s.
Neil selects one of his next victims.
Timberrrr!
Neil built this log splitter. The engine is from an old grain elevator back home. The steal beam was abandoned railroad scrap. Above, Neil primes the engine with a shot of ether.
Neil lifts a log [while Reed watches].
Neil places another log in the splitter [while Reed watches].
Reed splits the log. This is tough work.
The firewood provides warmth while we enjoy cashew chicken. Eating on the floor may be okay for younger folks, but this is one Asian custom I could live without.