Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Friday, August 22, 2025

Trees. Guys.

Dude!


Don't tell me he isn't a gentleman of fashion. 

He got me, so I got him back. It's the story of my people. Xcel Energy tree trimmers have been here for several days removing branches from proximity to the power line. The boss lady laid down the rules the first day, saw different guys the next day and did it all over again. Do not mutilate my trees. Do not mess with the ancient pines, just make the channel through the middle as you see has been done before. Every few years I need to repeat myself. They are told to be aggressive. I have to tell them better not. The second group mutilated a cedar tree for no apparent reason before I got to them. I told those guys I didn't want to see that again. Long ago I had a guy call me a ball busting bitch. I thanked him.

The original guys are back at it. They are pleasant, friendly men. I asked the one who was walking around with me as I pointed out what I wanted and I asked him if he would like to see a horse. Yes! I showed him Mr. Big Stuff, Zing, who put on a fancy strutting show. He was a show horse and never lost the flair. The young man asked me my name. When I told him he smiled large and said 'Spanish'. I said yes, it is a Latin name. He took photos of the big guy and it felt like I made his day. He asked if it was expensive to keep horses. Yes, it is. It's worse now than it used to be. The average joe is being priced out. It's a common story. 

Other than bossing a bunch of men around I have been doing little to nothing. Tomorrow is supposed to be the start of a week long break in the heat and humidity. The yard and gardens are calling my name. They will be bossing me around for quite a while.

32 comments:

Boud said...

Female solidarity thanks you for being tough on rude men and nice to courteous ones. I bet the horse fancier told his family about the big beauty he'd seen. The horse. Well, that didn't come out right.

Sandra said...

HA! Please, call me a big beauty anytime you want!!!!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Way to go telling the menfolk what to do! Oh yes I see you are married to a man that would make the cover of a high fashion mens magazine:)

e said...

Good for you! Your husband looks comfortable.

Rita said...

Your land! Your trees! You tell 'em! I wouldn't stand for it, either...says the fellow tree-hugger.
Did you know there's a Twin Cities coffee company that makes a coffee called Tree Hugger? It's my favorite of theirs. It was the reason I had to try their coffee--lol! ;)

CheerfulMonk said...

Good for you and for your husband! I’m glad you might get some relief from the heat. 👍🤞😊❤️

Anvilcloud said...

Speaking of being bossed, that guy in the chair looks like he knows his place. 😇

Sandra said...

I'm very experienced in directing people, Far Side. Mark would be just the person for one of those magazines.

Sandra said...

I'm sure he was, e!

Sandra said...

I did not know this, Rita. My trees are important. I sued a man who was moving something large and took it upon himself to cut my pines back to the trunk. Conifers do not sprout new growth when you do that. I won.

Sandra said...

I can't hardly wait for the change, Cheerful.

Sandra said...

He better, AC!!

DeniseinVA said...

It's good to know you got your point across about those trees! And very sweet of you to show the young man your horse. I get a big smile on my face when I see them in the fields around here, but rarely get a chance to see one up close. Your photo made me chuckle. I have someone here I can introduce him to. Have a great weekend Sandra!

Anonymous said...

I love the way you took command and let your preferences be known, your trees your way. Plus, you showed kindness to some one. Your husband looks very relaxed and comfortable in his outfit of choice.
Take Care,
Kaye

Lori Skoog said...

Mark is a keeper! He does so much work with the horses and the farm. We could definately use some tree trimming and I hope that Scott can bring his friends lift over someday to take down some dead branches a gazillion feet up in our willow tree. We must have over a dozen other volunteers that have grown up along our fence line and they are getting huge. I would love to have seen Zing too.! More pictures please.

Dreaming said...

I'm so glad you had a say in how the trees were trimmed. I hate to see trees butchered....but then again, I hate that folks lose power because trees aren't trimmed. I went with a friend to pick up some hay for her "wee" beasties...Wow! I can't believe the prices compared to when I bought it in 2015!

nick said...

If you have to be a ball-busting bitch to get them to do what you asked and not what they feel like doing, so be it!

Sandra said...

So you also have a dude, Denise!

Sandra said...

Such a paragon of fashion, Kaye.

Sandra said...

We've given up on the volunteers, Lori. They have finally won. I married a dairy farm guy not knowing that would come in handy one day!

Sandra said...

Hay prices have soared, Dreaming. Bedding and grain, also. My horses are old. They still need to eat, though. Thankfully I have a lot of pasture so they only go through one flake of hay a day during pasture season. But then there is winter..........

Sandra said...

Ha! It's called knowing what you want and expressing it, nick.

Pixie said...

The thing is, if a man came out and spoke to them about the trees, they would listen, but when a woman does the same thing, she's a ball busting bitch. Makes me angry.

Sandra said...

Absolutely true, Pixie.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Your land, your trees. Good for you.

Sandra said...

They did what the supervisor told them anyway, Linda.

Barwitzki said...

It's good when help is really help.
And kindness is a wonderful virtue.
I wish you a happy week.
I would love to see your show horse, up close.
Enjoy.
And yes, I'm sure we would have fun together.

Sandra said...

Zing is an enormous show-off.He loves an audience.

The Happy Whisk said...

Sounds like a lot and glad it is done. Love that you showed him the horses.

Sandra said...

Yes, he was happy to see Zing, Ivy.

Bohemian said...

I can't stand mutilation of Trees and so many Tree Trimmers seem to have absolutely no Arborist Training whatsoever as to what's healthy for the Trees they make a living Trimming/Maintaining. I won't let the Palm Trimmers near my Palms for that reason, they butcher them and it's tragic. So, I let mine grow Natural, but in strong Winds the Dead Fronds do fall off.

Sandra said...

Tree trimmers do seem to enjoy mutilating trees, Dawn.