About a week ago, there's a an ad for free firewood near here. Meet with the homeowner & there was 3 big piles of hardwood, mostly oak. There's some cherry (love cherry l, a little ash, & maybe some hickory. & damm; some is so big that a bigger saw is required. Either the semi-retired brother in law's Husqvarna 572XP w/36" bar or a new Echo CS-7310P w/32" bar. Anyway, the homeowner is this really chill guy! He's fascinating to talk to. It turns out that he has a successful martial arts gym & is a many degree black-belt in his discipline. We will be working together & sharing his firewood. Meanwhile, my main supplier is good for a truck load every time. There, it's like being Tom Sawyer. He helps load the truck, run the splitter, and cooks a hot lunch. Last time it was a meatball sandwich w/ a few beers to wash it down. He's a character with many good stories! Firewood hoarding is fun!
I sometimes freak when I have a bunch of hickory cutting in front of me, careful to not cut myself. Years back I had a free firewood score, not far, easy pickings. I brought my black lab with me. After cutting I let her out of the truck as I got ready to load. On the quiet farm road a lady comes walking or jogging, when close she goes into a rant about me hunting without permission. She was really on a roll, I let her go. After she was done I told her, the mom gave me permission, not hunting, cleaning up wood. She eventually backtracked, saw the lab, thought I was hunting.
Great post! Gathering firewood many times gives you some good experiences. That also is a sweet log pile! Anyone should be proud of that.
Most of the time you are correct ; however there is always one bad apple. Like the hoard with buzz-saw-brad. The old battle axe came out begging for donations and called Brad a "begger". LOL This was one for the history books , you had to be there. Funny $..t .
I drove by there the other day and the husband was outside. I almost tooted and waved. Here's the story for those inquiring FHCers. I "BEG" your pardon?
Ive met some great folks over the course of my hoarding career. Some not so great too. January last year I was cutting some huge beech roadkill ion front of a guys house.. I had gotten his okay to do so. During one of my cuts the guy comes out to say hello, then starts helping me move them. The guy was in his mid 70's and was short in stature. These were good sized chunks. I told him he didn't have to but insisted.
Bob, my main supplier, has given me countless cords of wood. The second time I was cutting there he offered me a beer. It tasted great! The next time I was there, I brought him a case. Now, when I cut there he comes out & helps load. Usually around 11:30 he disappears inside to cook lunch. Sometimes it's only hotdogs and chips; or could be ribs or spaghetti and meatballs. Regardless, it is very nice to have a hot meal and a couple of beers!
