Well, that's something.

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I may not be working fast, but that was accounted.  It will take longer than I thought.  First though, there were many branches at the bast of the primary project tree... the one in which I am going to have to... do a lot more cutting than anticipated, and that is just to get in there.  So I did about an half hour of cutting and restacking.  And still there will be more to do.  No problem, just noting things.  While the stacking after cutting doesn't seem much, it is.  All good.  After clearing the base fairly well, I hit the punks, or suckers, or... the little branches attempting to grow out of where big branches had been cut.  I cleared that, mostly as a breather from the heavier work.  Then I got the ladder over, arranged it, went up to see how that would work.  It's a bit skinny going up that high alone.  I did it though, and then roped the saw up, tying it in for now.

I realized I hadn't messed with the waist rope harness or tube safety straps.  I had found them recently, and they were right were I remembered them.  The problem, however, is that I had never worked the tube safety lines.  They need to be cut to length and stitched together.  Bleh.  I have several ropes I could use, they simply won't be as convenient.  And I want something on the chainsaw.  I'd like to secure the ladder too.  One step, on the top, coming onto it, and it would be a 15 to 20 foot drop.  I've done such before, and came out fine.  Not a bet I'd prefer to assume, then or now.  Past performance is no guarantee of...  blah, bleh, snap.  I'm not sure what I have available though.

So, I pretty much cleared, trimmed, set up the ladder.  Now for the hard and dangerous work.  I needed a bit of a break though.  Taking it.  Then I'll gather what I can, secure as I may, and take my best shot.  Probably another break after that.  Even if the work goes much quicker than I suspect... and it might... the nerves are what are giving me some sweat.  Not so worried about what others consider a risk, more worried about pride.  A bit of a build up.  I'd hate to do something stupid and not be able to do what I said.  Yeah, yeah, pride, fall.  Still, it's good if a man can be measured by his word.  Every time you think you have it all figured out you realize you don't, can't.

On the good side, all that is left is quite a bit easier.  It is all at the nominal height of the ladder in a v config, not full length height, or closer to that.  More stable, the branches are all, more or less, in line around the tree at that milder height, and I don't have to potentially cut through to climb, to squirrel around, cut, and maybe climb some more, to get to anything.  In theory it is the difference between working on a Maserati versus working on the engine of a 4x4 monster truck.

Still, I think I can get it done.  I'll do music until 16:15, by this computer, so 14 minutes out, then get back to it.  Wish me luck.  I sure hope it all works out.  I want spaghetti and meat balls tonight.  I think I can if I don't break or cut something.  Oh, hey?  If you are going to do this type of work, wear gloves.  Thick, heavy, gloves.  Old dogs, new tricks?  Hmm, not so much.  Just old dogs and old memories.  Later.