An odd provision in the purchase of our home was the conveyance of a one-fourth ownership in a hydraulic wood splitter. I've staunchly resisted its use these past two years.
You see, I love splitting wood by hand. It's great exercise, extremely effective stress therapy, and often an entertaining puzzle in three dimensions. Whiling away a day swinging an axe suits me just fine.
But over the past couple of seasons I have accumulated a stack of "problem" rounds - sections of wood with knots, twists, forks, and general stubbornness that have resisted my maul - much of it hickory which is particularly cantankerous to pry apart as its grains tend to go every which way. Andrew Jackson must have been one mean cuss.
So I reluctantly chased down the splitter, dragged it home, and put it to work, feeling a bit guilty giving in to the convenience. The pile of nasties was split in no time. It was a ton too easy.
Actually, twenty-two of them.
Yeah, I haven't swung an axe in a few years. Hydraulics just make it too damn easy.
ReplyDeleteAnd gives you more fishing time. Right, Steve?
ReplyDeleteI have a gas fireplace that has made me lazy. I miss splitting wood and would turn my Blackberry, iPhone, iPad and laptop in for a cord of wood to split. No time limit!
ReplyDeleteThe problem is they make my back hurt from bending over to pick up the pieces often enough to keep pace.
ReplyDeleteWorking a little harder is a little easier in some ways.
I hear ya, Valve_box. We get caught up in our conveniences. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes it's good to get a bit closer to the bone.
ReplyDeleteWorking a little harder is a little easier on occasion, Clif. And sometimes it just feels good to be a tad sore.
At least it came with the house and you didn't have to sell your soul to the company store. The Man in Black knew wood splittin.
ReplyDeleteBoy, ask the whistle punk. I don't know. Thanks for the memory, GSF!
ReplyDelete