Just isn't going to happen.

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Well, not that one or three branches.  I tried to shimmy this way, climb that, figure what could be cut... not much... or gone around.  I wrestled the ladder to the other side of the tree.  Great access.  Problem?  The tree was leaning into the ladder.  I made a makeshift harness, tied in, and started breaking little branches.  I am amazed at how well I did up there, sometimes backwards, always off balance or so very close to it.  Always on the edge.  I did what I could, broke through the crown of smaller dead branches, untied then wrestled the chainsaw from the other side of the tree, from the wrong side, below, and off balance.  Cool.  I got it over and... the @%$#@% wouldn't start!  I tried this way, that way, the other.  Still not sure if it was a lack of balance meaning a lack of torque, or if I was doing something wrong, or...

Enough.  I did what I could.  Couldn't cut other branches, or they'd take out a power line.  Couldn't climb up, or around... too much dead, wrong angle, or just nothing to climb on.  Quite a little workout though.  Finally, realizing I simply have the wrong tools, I slipped on down the ladder... with the chainsaw in one hand.  I just didn't have it in me to try to tie it and lower it.  *shrug*  I think I'll have to get one of those extend-o'-saws.  They have mechanical, electric, and gas.  I think I'll go with mechanical.  Bleh.

No major worries.  I did a good little bit of work, and have an idea of what I need to do next, and how to do it.  Plus, I am not done.  I took the ladder to the last tree, set it up, gathered all gear to it, and then came in for a break.  I actually worked as long this time as I did the first time.  I burned at least as many calories.  Not bad.  Now to finish the branches on this tree.  Should go well.  These are all just, maybe, three steps up on the 'v' form of the ladder.  I can put the safety on, start the saw, and just step up.  No need to tie in.  The drops aren't convoluted by other branches, wiring, a roof, or anything.  Still, while the cutting will be easy, these are 50' to 60' trees.  If they aren't the broadest of evergreens, they are still big.  Thus so are their branches.  Which means cutting them to size, then pulling them to stack, will be a bit of work.  I probably won't hit it until 18:00.  Too warm.

Perhaps during the break, if I feel a spark but still want to chill, I might put the meatballs together, then put them in to cook.  One suggestion was to broil them.  But broiling, if memory serves, has always been a nasty dirty way to cook.  Messy.  Sure, my oven has a self-cleaning thing.  But you still have to figure out how to use it, then use it.  Better to do on a cool night.  Hmm... you know... it probably needs cleaned anyway.  Might as well, then see how well that works?  Yeah.  Later.