Lina and Dave’s, B.L. (before loggers)
Saturday was one of those days that blew right by us. I can’t even say what we were doing besides ‘the usual.’ But apparently it was a Big Day in Oysterville. I can’t believe we missed the whole thing.
In the early-ish morning, Dave and Lina’s logger friends were here cutting down the danger trees right behind their house. Said house is right across the street and about two hundred yards north of us. Wouldn’t you think we’d have heard the chain saws? But we were oblivious.
We even knew ahead of time that it would be happening. The alder trees to the west of that house have swayed and loomed precariously in our winter storms for several years now. I’m sure the Wachsmuth/Cordray family will sleep easier now that the nearest ones are gone.
Danger Trees Down!
Like most alder trees, you don’t seem to notice them until they get to the scary point. Related to birch trees, they have a white (often lichen-covered) bark and a canopy of lovely green leaves – except when they don’t. But whether they are leafed out in summer or bare-branched in winter, they are so common here that they sort of fade into the background.
Many people refer to them as “weed trees” and, like weeds, they seem to proliferate right where you may not want them – but only in select regions of the world. (That would be us!) They like wet environments so that their roots can remain submerged in water. They then reach their leafy limbs upward as far as 100 feet. They are pretty, but potentially hazardous. And there are always many more on the way here in Oysterville!
Oysterville Store
In addition to missing the logging show, we were totally oblivious to the Cash Mob that happened at the Oysterville Store. Apparently – and I’m getting my information from FaceBook because I haven’t seen Greg since the big event – it was wildly successful. I was super amazed to read on many of my FB friends’ pages that they had never been there before. Belated welcome to our world! I hope Saturday’s introduction will be the first of many such visits. What a great idea, Flora Gardener!
And so it is that we vow, once again, to be more aware of our surroundings! Or at least to recognize which planet we’re on at any given moment…
Weeds are in the eye of the beholder. I like alders and thank goodness that they continue to be a source of shade, homes for birds, and firewood. It’s our beautiful Doug Firs that tend to topple over in storms. I get upset whenever any trees get cut.
We, too, were oblivious to the Flash Mob goings on, but intend to visit Greg this weekend.
Ditto spruce trees for toppling — even more so than Douglas Firs because they are so shallowly rooted. And, it’s not that I don’t like alders, Stephanie. I do — just not when they pop up in my flower beds or between my fence pickets or, as in Lina and Dave’s case, hovering over the house. Besides… “the woods is full of them” as they say!