The tree in our front yard

Since so many here are not on Facebook--and since Facebook has a way of making it really likely that you will miss the stuff you actually want to see, I thought I'd go ahead and post a few pictures here. (Demetrius still isn't done bundling the sticks up yet, and since he's seen evidence that some of the branches are being nibbled, presumably by termites, he would prefer to get them moved ASAP. Sadly, weather is predicted to remain in the 90s for the rest of the week.

Original view from the front of the house, right after the limb came down.

This is the second major limb we've lost on that tree. And neighbors were pointing out that another major limb looks to be not long for this world. The question is, if it does come down in our next big storm, where will it land? Demetrius doubts that it would actually land on the house, and, even if it did, homeowners' insurance would have to pay. Somehow I'm not completely reassured by that statement. Certainly, even if house damage could be repaired without out of pocket costs, there is the matter of the life upheaval that would be involved.

The positive side to all of this is that, upon seeing Demetrius hard at work trying to cut some of the branches down to size, a number of neighbors came by and offered the use of their more efficient, effective tools. Some provided hands-on help. So this kind of reaffirmed my faith in humanity a bit.

Here are a couple of "after" pictures (after hour upon hour of sweaty, grueling work).

Anyway, we have hot weather and storms predicted for a few more days. I really hope we don't lose power again. That sucked in a pretty major way.