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The Root Of All Evil

If you ever wondered where the root of all evil originated...it was in my front yard the whole time.


We had to cut down a tree to make room for two apricot trees. I didn't want a stump left so Greg pulled it out of the ground with the tractor. As you can see by the picture, it didn't give up without a fight, pulling the tractor off its back tires.


With a little persuasion, we managed to pull it out, roots and all. Who's your daddy now, stump?

We've pulled bigger stumps, but we used a bigger tractor for those. I always hate taking out trees, but sometimes they have to go.


***
Winners!
Madeleine Maddocks won a copy of Apocalypse Rising from ParaJunkee's View.

Cate Masters won a copy of Apocalypse Rising from The Galaxy Express.
Note: We lost the comments at The Galaxy Express blog, but we found them even if they couldn't be physically restored. 

Thanks, everyone for visiting me!

*** 

One final note: I am taking a blog hiatus for a couple of weeks while I entertain company and hunker down for a writing marathon. I will likely be more visible on Facebook and Twitter while the blog is down, so follow me there if your curiosity gets the better of you. And of course, I'll be seeing you guys at your hot spots too.

***
So what's new in your part of the world? Who's read something they can recommend? I plan to do a lot of reading now that the tour is over. :-)
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Comments

Rula Sinara said…
Oh wow! What a picture! Enjoy your time off :)
May 23, 2011 at 8:27 AM
Angela said…
Now that is one huge root! Stop by my blog. You've been tagged.
May 23, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Mike Keyton said…
Interesting shape. Once Greg has got his wind back maybe you could suggest him paring, sanding down and varnishing that stump as a small work of art...while you're reading of course.

Hope you enjoy the hiatus
May 23, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Misha Gerrick said…
Sounds like it was a tough struggle. But you know what they say, if it doesn't work the first time, use more force. ;-)
May 23, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Sarita Leone said…
What great photos! Love it that you and Greg won.

New? I baked bread yesterday. Photos on the blog, would love to have you visit. Too bad you can't pop in for a slice of bread--I have two whole loaves!
May 23, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Cathy in AK said…
Nicely done! Enjoy your guests and writing blitz. I'm in for an editing blitz myself then some travel.

What can I recommend? Well, I'm reading "True Believers". Can I recommend that? ; )
May 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Jackie said…
I recommend book 3 in Ava Gray's Skin series, Skin Heat just finished it this weekend and it was the best one of the stories so far... Also there are lots of freebies on the nook but not sure which ones you have grabbed!

That "stump" almost won, glad Greg and the tractor prevailed!

Also glad the world did not end, we went out to eat and came home Saturday evening just fine so guess we have a little time left till it happens in 2012!
May 23, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Unknown said…
Impressive. When I first saw the headlines ... I thought you were going to write about dandelions.
May 23, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Cate Masters said…
That's one stubborn stump! :)
So cool that I won Apocalypse Rising! Can't wait to read it.
May 23, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Ronda Tutt said…
LOL Maria, I am smiling from ear to ear looking at that photo of your hubby and tractor pulling that stump/root out - I've seen the same scene in my own front yard with my hubby and his tractor (red headed mistress "MaHindra")- LOL I call her the red headed mistress because if you want to find my hubby he is always on his tractor - LOL
May 23, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Raelyn Barclay said…
A day in the life, eh? Great pictures. Have a relaxing time.
May 23, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Sorry I blinked out. I had to shut everything down when another storm blew through. After what happened in Joplin, MO, I thought it'd be safer to lie low.

Rula: A lot of sweat equity went into that stump.

Angela: I'll be sure to stop by sometime today. Thanks!

Mike: Greg has actually saved pieces of various trees for their aesthetic value. He's made me several bowls too. Very pretty.

Misha: LOL. You got that right. If it at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer.

Sarita: How in the heck did I lose your blog? I could've sworn it was on my Reader. I have now remedied the situation. I love reading about your cooking/baking adventures.
May 23, 2011 at 1:51 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Cathy: Oh, I know how that one ends. LOL. Good one!

Jackie: I was going to be very miffed if all my friends were raptured and I got left behind. Not surprised, mind you. Just annoyed. :)

Kay: Oh, man! Dandelions are worse than tree stumps. You can't win with them.

Cate: I was touched you already had Touch Of Fire, so I'm glad I could add to that collection.

Ronda: We have a Mahindra too! It's a monster, but too big to maneuver in that little space in the front yard. It was hard enough getting the little tractor in there. And yes, I know about the mistress part, although in Greg's case it's usually got two wheels and goes very, very fast.

Raelyn: It truly is. This is a typical day for us. If we're not moving dirt, digging ditches, stretching fence or building something, there is something wrong on the homestead.

Okay, let me answer my email and I'll visit you guys at your places later today.
May 23, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Linda Leszczuk said…
Getting here late today. Congratulations on your bouncing baby stump. Wow, you guys raise everything down there.
May 23, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Barbara Ann Wright said…
I'm off to a conference, but I wish I could do that writing marathon.
May 23, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Kim said…
Gotta love when the nature fights back!

Enjoy your time off! :D
May 23, 2011 at 2:39 PM
Shelley Munro said…
Some of those stumps are very stubborn! Great action shots.

Have a fun break and get lots of writing/reading done. Hubby and I are off on a Pacific cruise for 10 days next week. I'll be doing lots of reading too.
May 23, 2011 at 3:08 PM
Stacy McKitrick said…
We have a tree that will probably have to go. Unfortunately, we don't have a tractor or anything like that. We'll probably have to hire someone to remove it. I like the tree, it's just too close to the house - yeah, we were stupid.

As for reading, I have a book on it's way to me and I expect to have it in my mail box tomorrow. Ever hear of "Touch of Fire"? Hee hee! Right now I'm reading "Fated" by Rebecca Zanetti. So far I'm enjoying it!
May 23, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Unknown said…
Husband had the same problem when he tried to dig up his grandmother's pussywillows. Tough little critters.
May 23, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: LOL. Yup. I never thought I'd be raising stumps though.

Barbara: And I wish I was going to a conference. Have fun!! Learn lots.

Kim: Yeah, but does it have to fight so hard? :)

Shelley: Every time you go on a cruise, my eyes turn green. LOL. You take the BEST trips. Enjoy. Can't wait to hear about your latest adventure.

Stacy: Those roots are terrible for the foundation and underground pipes. It's best to get rid of them before they do real damage.

Ref: Touch Of Fire
Darn! I know how that one ends too. Thanks, hon.

Darke: Pussywillows are hard to pull out? I never knew that. And I love pussywillows. But we don't have enough water for them.
May 23, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Sarah Ahiers said…
yeah, no thanks on stumps. I'm really impressed you managed to get that baby out.


OMG! I totally just got the pun in your blog post title. Damn i'm quick today...
May 23, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Dru said…
Third time is a charm since Blogger keeps eating my post and now I don't remember what I wrote.

Enjoy your time off.
May 23, 2011 at 6:29 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: That's okay. I know your brain is focused elsewhere today.

Dru: Blogger has been so skittish lately. Glad you could get in.
May 23, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Jennifer Shirk said…
Whoa, that's a major root!
Great, I just come back and now you leave. LOL

Honestly, if you read romance, I just read three great Lisa Kleypas books that are a series. I wasn't sure how I would like them but I am so glad I tried them. Sugar Daddy, Blue-eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger. Written in the first person and the first two had a women's fiction feel to them. But VERY good.
May 23, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Joanne said…
I love trees too, but not too close to the house. When we first bought our home, for the first couple of years it seems like that's all we were doing, taking down trees way too close for comfort.

Enjoy your hiatus, happy writing to you :)
May 23, 2011 at 8:52 PM
Anonymous said…
Greg can justify that $$$$ for the next tool. That was fun to see... having fun yet? Leaving to Boston tomorrow.
Ed & mel
May 24, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Jennifer: I think I have Sugar Daddy. I wasn't sure I'd like it so it's just been sitting there. I'll give it a whirl.

Joanne: Those tree roots can be murder. I love those trees, but they can't be too close to the house.
May 24, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Mel: You're leaving again? I think I'll go by your house and see what you have in the fridge. I might need some eggs. LOL.
May 24, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Anonymous said…
Bless you for awarding me the prize. Love the pics of the root. It would make a great sculpture i'm thinking (Check out Grizedale Forest Cumbria) Have a great blog sabbatical :O)
May 24, 2011 at 1:55 PM
Unknown said…
And here I thought it was Satan! Well, I like your tractor adventure. And have a great blogcation.
May 24, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Charlie said…
Have a gret visit and happy reading!
May 24, 2011 at 5:54 PM
Stacy Gail said…
Ah-HA! So YOU'RE responsible for the root of all evil! Glad you got rid of it. :P

Have a nice blogging vacay!

Stacy
May 24, 2011 at 9:50 PM
Maria Zannini said…
Madeleine: You're welcome!

Charlie: If only Blogger would let me comment on some of what I read.

Stacy: I just harbor evil. :)
May 26, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Ellie Garratt said…
OMG. That was one evil root! Who's your daddy now, stump. Hehehe.

Congratulations to the winners, and I hope you have a fun and productive couple of weeks.

p.s. I posted an excerpt of Cosmic Seed for the Power Of Tension Blogfest. If you get a chance, have a look.

Power Of Tension Blogfest
May 28, 2011 at 2:27 AM
Jayne said…
Heh - the root of all evil - that did tickle me. :)

Wow - seems it did put up a big struggle. Love the glimpse of the front of your house though - looks lovely!
May 28, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Ellie: That's all you can say when you pull one of those suckers up.

Jayne: I love my house. It's too big for us, but it has so many nice touches.
May 30, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Julie Musil said…
OMG, that's some stump! My husband got stuck on a hill in his tractor, and I had to tow him up using a 4x4. Enjoy the company AND the writing time. I'll see you on Twitter!
June 1, 2011 at 11:24 PM
Claudia Zurc said…
Hi Maria,
Enjoy your visitors and good luck in the writing marathon ;)
I'm already following you on Twitter so I guess I'll see what you're up to. See you later!
June 4, 2011 at 1:24 PM
Tia Nevitt said…
The title of this post made me laugh. Did you get a video? I bet it would get some hits at YouTube.
June 6, 2011 at 5:09 AM
Maria Zannini said…
Julie: Holy cow! That had to be one heck of a hill.

Tia: No video. What looks like a grab and rip really took a couple of hours to get to that point. I just cut to the chase. :)
June 6, 2011 at 6:47 AM
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