19th century saw

Here's a close-up of the saw. This blade is about six feet long, a wooden handle attached at each end. You pull it towards you. Your mate pulls it away. I had fun as a child helping my dad saw with it.

grandpa's two-man saw fells oak

L. to R. below--Ryan, me, Joel, and Milton gathered today to bring down the oak. It never truly lived since it left the nursery. It must have suffered poisoning at the contruction site before we got it for free. For two years I had hope. My father's two-man saw takes it down and then slices the trunk into short logs. Think of that, cutting up a tree without any imported materials such as gas! Then it was hot chocolate with marshmallows in the kitchen.

tools of the feast

Dorcas got the fancy knives out today to see that they are ready for Thanksgiving. We plan for 16 persons on Thursday. The turkey's coming from an organic farm in Lititz. Not flying in. Sarah plans to pick it up. photo by Joel

woodpecker in snow

Snow was falling lightly after breakfast. A pair of red-bellied woodpeckers had some seeds outside the window. Step carefully when walking down a snowy roof! Now help me out if you know this bird is not a red-bellied.