I’m not sure who wore out first, us or the machine.

Since the last storm, my husband, Jimmy, and I have been running fallen wood through the chipper. Yesterday we hit the 1,000-pounds-of-chips mark.

Although the equipment was rated for a three-inch diameter branch, we fed only items half that size. Still, the metal feeder shuddered and shook so badly that the hinge finally broke.

“Thank goodness!” Did I say that aloud?

Every muscle in my body aches. I’m accustomed to hard labor in the garden and around the property, but the constant bending required for this task is more difficult than it looks. Jimmy is complaining, too.

It’s just as well that the equipment stopped working. My fall garden still needs planting, and I also need to prepare for upcoming events and trainings. (I need the break!)

My husband will take the machine for repairs. The cursed thing will probably be fixed by the time the events have passed.

We still have another tree to remove!