Challenge du Jour
Take a look at the following photo and guess what's on my agenda today...
If it's not immediately obvious to you, this is a closeup of a rather large limb on the pecan tree in our backyard. The limb has split and will eventually break. While this alone is cause enough for concern, your discerning eye has probably noted the thick wire just beneath and perpendicular to the limb. This is the main power line into the house. And, to add insult to injury, just out of the photo below the power line is our cable and phone connections. (This is one of the few drawbacks of living in an older neighborhood: no underground utilities.)
A stiff wind -- oh, like the one forecast to hit here on Thursday! -- could easily snap this branch, and if it falls in just the wrong way (cross reference Murphy's Law, Inevitability of), we're in big trouble.
And, in anticipation of your next question...no, I'm not going to cut this limb myself. This is a job for trained professionals (ie. anybody but me).
Yikes! This looks like a warning of some kind, with that branch so dangerously close to the wire and threatening to shut you down completely if you make just one wrong move, like a mother's raised hand as a child reaches for the cookie jar and she's saying "no more cookies!" Tread lightly, my friend!
Posted by: Gwynne at October 4, 2005 02:39 PMWell, I guess its a good thang you got that new UPS all set up and protectin'...
Posted by: Mark at October 4, 2005 05:41 PMThose powerlines in trees are not a good thing. I watched a programme the other day about a kid climbing one and touching it (whether by accident or what, I'm not sure). The kid lived (amazingly) but had many burns, many surgeries to go and an amputation.
Posted by: Rachel at October 4, 2005 05:46 PMMr. Freen, the new subdivisions in our neck of the woods would be overly distressing to your sensibilities, I fear. The homes themselves are striking in appearance, but landscape is sadly lacking. But, that's just a reflection of our naturally-occurring environment, I suppose. It might be argued that the new developments are actually more reflective of our environment than the well-established ones.
Gwynne, your comment sounds suspiciously like self-incrimination. ;-)
Mark, you're right...I'm good for at least 40 minutes if that sucker lets loose!
Rachel, fortunately this power line is well-insulated so there's no immediate threat. But, if the branch rubs against the line too much, that could change.
Posted by: Eric at October 4, 2005 05:51 PMWho me? Yeah, I suppose I reached for the cookie jar a few too many times. ;-) Just a silly analogy for what looks like a very dangerous imminent threat. Hope you get it removed safely (and pronto)!
Posted by: Gwynne at October 4, 2005 06:17 PM%%% EXPERIMENTAL %%%
Now, why can't the electric power company cutoff the power supply temporarily and reconnect it after you or your workers cut that tree branch. WHY DO THEY HAVE TO CHARGE YOU TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE ELECTRIC POWER. Why? They even have the expertise and people to make such job chicken feed?
Government should demand this from these power companies before considering these 12%, 24% increases in out electric rates.
Posted by: the-eurasian@earthlink.net at October 6, 2005 09:54 PMAbout the publisher
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(This is one of the few drawbacks of living in an older neighborhood: no underground utilities.)
Yes, but that's offset by the innate charm older neighborhoods have.
Maybe it's just me, but neighborhoods today look, well, unnatural. Sterile. I've seen a couple new subdivisions grafted onto existing older neighborhoods and the differences are striking.
Not only in terms of architecture, but also landscaping, and lot lay-out.
I suspect it's due to the property design software used.
Hope all goes well with the branch removal. Looks tricky, even for the pros.
I was going to say, "knock on wood" but that would be tempting things.
Posted by: Mr. Freen at October 4, 2005 09:31 AM