Where is the Tin Woodsman when you need him?

Where is the Tin Woodsman when you need him? I'd keep him so busy, he wouldn't have a chance to rust away on that road to Oz.

For the last three years, I've been trying to clean up the woods behind my house. There is only so much one woman working alone can do, so it's a very slow process!

We've had a lot of rain this winter, so I had very few days I could work in the woods.

Today was beautiful, mid 60's, not a cloud in the sky...so off to the woods I went.

These are the tools I took with me. A bottle of Perrier, a clock, a telephone, a tube of chocolate lip balm from http://www.goodiesunlimited.com/ , my house key, a pair of goatskin gloves, and my trusty lopping shears. All stylishly contained in a Neiman Marcus tote bag!

With a bag that snazzy, you know I'd be dressed in style. Check out the sexy black boots! The ground is damp and uneven and there is the occasional unexpected stump hole. I have stepped into a hole up to my knee, and don't want to repeat that wearing anything less than these boots. And they come in mighty handy when I have to cross the creek!

Before I started working, I had to take a few minutes to survey the situation.

Did you know that I own an island? Here it is! I call it "Rocky Island". The creek surrounds the island. When it rains, the poor island is usually submerged, so I won't be building a hut there.




I love the shadows the bubbles cast on the creek bed!

Just look how clear the water is! Yes, these rocks are under water.

Panther Creek winds its way through my back yard.



What gorgeous green moss!

I'm almost afraid to wonder what lives in this tree. It's hollow...it's leaning...it's on the creek bank...I expect it to fall within a year...and that will be another mess to clean up.



Brand new dead fall...This wasn't here a week ago!




Anybody want a few thousand River Birch trees? The ground is so soft, I've been pulling them up by the roots. They range in size from a few inches to several feet tall.

This big tree fell across the creek a couple years ago. I hope to wade across the creek and clean it up this spring...soon...before the snakes start swimming in the creek!

I managed to clean off a good sized area today. My two existing brush piles were so tall I couldn't add anything else to them, so I started a new one. Now, just as soon as I clear off about 100 times today's amount, I'll be all finished...until more limbs fall...

If you run into the Tin Woodsman, tell him I need help...now!