a stunned apology!
Seven pages later, you guys are amazing! Truly I am touched. Short version: The ash are still standing, and I am alive and well and embarrassed that I put a scare into any one! I am a member of a lot of forums: motorcycling, hunting, bushcrafting, yadda, yadda, and have NEVER experienced an online community like this one. I am shocked and grateful for your care and concern.
Longer version, old irish and Tim hit it on the head: When I'm not pretending to be a tree guy, I run a middle school of about 240 kids. (I'm called the Director, but it's a fancy term for Principal.) To say work has been busy lately is like saying Giselle Bundchen is moderately good looking. As we approach winter break, the mad dash to the finish of the calendar year is taking its toll. Weekends have been equally crazy with events, bad weather for lift rental/tree work, or the siren call of the whitetail. I had a prime late-season spot fall into my lap out of the clear blue a few weeks ago and have been spending any spare time trying to learn the property. I was hopeful I could post up a bowhunting hero shot or two here, but the deerses are NOT cooperating--despite the fact I used my arb gear to get into a giant sycamore I couldn't have accessed any other way!
I promise not to be a stranger, even if the last few ash become a spring project! The Tree House rocks!
Gratefully,
Jeff