Grumpa vs the Stump: The Final Chapter

     On the hot summer morning of August 17, 2013, fortified by Grandma's hearty breakfast of whole wheat zucchini waffles and a bowl of fruit, Grumpa sharpened his axe, picked up a shovel and the borrowed chain saw and with measured glare strode across the backyard to do battle while his arch enemy of the past 3 years, the unyielding cottonwood stump. The stump had reluctantly surrendered 1/4 of its girth earlier in several previous assaults.  Grumpa was determined to enact a complete victory on this day and was not going to allow a blinding sun and rising temperatures to be an obstacle.   

       The obstinate holdouts are pictured below, displaying the scars from previous attempts at removal by fire, charcoal, hacking with axe, saw and assorted oaths and curses.  Perhaps the curses and curses are not visible, and thankfully, are no longer audible.





After several thrusts with the shovel to expose defiant roots, Grumpa wielded his trusty axe and after multiple blows, the roots reluctantly gave way.  The stump was bisected into two large sections.  Each was removed separately,  The last remaining block had to be stripped of clinging clay before Grumpa was able to wrestle it out of the hole.
 

Grumpa poses with the vanquished foe

 

The remaining crater is longer than a shovel length and probably measures 4 feet wide by 2 feet deep.  The next task will be to return the misplaced dirt back into the hole.




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In the absence of the stump, we'll have to determine what do with the space previously occupied by the stump.  Deanna is of the opinion that a new tree should go into the hole.  It seems to be a no-brainer because the hole is already In place.

Several utility lines cross the yard along the back fence line.  While fighting the stump, I severed a coaxial cable line that could have caused ill will with neighbors.  Apparently the cable was not relaying any signals to anyone.  No harm, no foul.

 

I think the hole will be replaced by a smooth covering of dirt, perhaps as early as this Saturday.  If not this Saturday, it may not be for some time.  College football season kicks off the following weekend.  Its arrival sometimes leads to a reduction in outdoor activities around our house.