A beautiful day here in New York State. Just got back from ordering my mulch.

6 yards of triple ground hemlock. I'm splitting it with my neighbor. Delivery later this week.

Big dog in the mulch yard got a little too playful with me! Playful bites. Didn't break the skin, but I have many tooth dents in my hand.

Yard owner only takes cash. I had so much currency on me that I carried it up there in a big stainless steel coffee cup, because I was afraid it would fall out of my pocket.

All of my prep work is done and yard is now ready to be mulched. I'll be glad when it's done.

Tried to cut up some thick downed limbs for my neighbor yesterday. I do this for her every year or two. I did a 40 foot section of maple tree for her a few years ago that was felled by a storm with just a reciprocating saw. I also pruned off a 500 pound limb off my own silver maple a few years ago with just a small pole chain saw, battery powered.

Her downed limbs yesterday were from a lilac tree. I just have battery powered tools (a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade, and a small battery powered chain saw). Neither worked. I did some research and found out why. Lilac wood is one of the hardest woods around, twice as hard as white oak. So, I'll have to come up with another plan for her limbs this year.

Have a great day.