Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Urban Wagon


Every once in a while you get a gift that keeps on giving.
This is one such time.
My soul mate gave me a big 'ss safety yellow garden wagon for Christmas.
While many will equate this gift to receiving a new plow blade there is a method to his madness once you look deep enough. It's a multi layered gift.
On the most obvious level anyone who knows me knows that I am a gardener. Even in a space deprived garden as ours a good garden cart is a must have. Potted Irises can be very heavy.
Not to mention a great cache of wood shavings from a near by freshly ground tree stump courtesy of city works.
Next this urbanbilly cart is a must have for curb shopping & dumpster diving.
Or using the shoe leather express to go to tag sales in our hood.
Neighborhood grocery shopping.
Farmer's market down the avenue.
Then there is this reason which by far is the one that is most near to my heart.
Collecting firewood for our as yet installed wood stove.
Free firewood means that the original outlay of $ for the completed wood stove project is recouped all the more quickly. Quicker return on our investment along with the eventual concept of free heat = cash surplus.
Or to put it simply the very real possibility to become a one income family.
Imagine having time to enjoy my role as a Wife and Mother without being a co-bread winner.
Time to volunteer.
Become a Master Gardener.
Imagine. Just imagine.
We recently had a huge warm up here in Western New York with day time temperatures reaching near 60 in some areas. Along with the warmer day came high winds two days later. Gust of 75 miles was recorded @ the Buffalo International Airport.
100 + year old Maples didn't have a chance.
While DD #2 was more than happy to glean on our city streets DD #3 keep two houses back @ all times so not to be associated with us urbanbillys. She basically was our look out since the contracted tree service feels that city residents who remove fallen trees are thieves. With the rise in demand for firewood cord prices are over $125 in some areas.
Tools consist of a few hand saws & a battery operated sawz all.
Working on conquering my phobia of chain saws.
~~ pelenaka ~~
p.s - Hubby & DD #2 enjoyed a brisk walk on Monday glean another wagon load of wood.
1/6 of a cord collected. Need to set aside a total of 4 cords for next Winter.