Pushing Back the Woods

      I have been working on pushing back the woods around our property.  That's what I call it.  Every year about this time as the trees and bushes put out new growth it seems as if the woods is closing in on me.  I almost feel like I need to duck when I drive down the lane because of the branches hanging down.
      I haven't finished, but so far I have trimmed two piles of branches and small trees from the lane and around the edge of the back yard.
      We have significant poison ivy on our property so it is almost impossible not to get into it when I reach into the undergrowth, or up to cut branches.  Several times I have had to stop trimming and hurry to the house to wash my arms with soap and water because I inadvertently brushed against those shiny green harmless-looking leaves.  It has been worth the extra time that took though because amazingly I do not have any poison ivy on my body!
      I actually very much enjoy this work even though it takes a lot of effort and I am exhausted at the end of the day.  What a sense of accomplishment it gives me when I see how much space I have reclaimed and how beautiful it looks!

      Here is one of the piles.  I left the Mule in the picture so you would have perspective on how many branches I've cut.  I have actually added quite a few branches since I took this picture, but you get the idea, I'm sure.