2025 What did you do Today

[Pat B]

I was cutting firewood today on the far side of our property. It was getting close to lunch time and I was about to make the last cut of the day when something hit me in the head. The tree I was cutting is one I started a few days before.This, an 18" red oak, got hung up in other trees so I studied my options. I could safely cut a few of these other smaller trees and get them out of the way and continue reducing the tree into firewood sized logs from about 2" diameter and up. Well, this thing rang my bell and once I felt stable enough I drove home. My wife saw my head and we headed to the hospital.
 This was about 1pm. During the next few hours 2 PAs, one on one side, one on the other side started cleaning the wound of bark and wood chips and after about 3 hours the two of them put about 200 stitches in the crown of my head. The cat scan showed no skull damage and no bleeding inside, the wound actually didn't bleed much on the outside considering what happened.
 Considering the damage I'm not in much pain. Definitely a headache but Ibuprofen and Tylenol are handling that pretty well. I may have a different opinion tomorrow. I go back on Friday for a follow up and get the stitches removed in about 10 days.
 Please be safe out in the woods whether you are cutting firewood or hunting or just hiking. I'll go back to the scene of the accident in a few days to see if I can figure out what happened. I was aware of the situation and thought I was being safe but obviously I must have overlooked something.

[Buemaker]

Them trees can be dangerous. My brother was blind on one eye the last 50 years of his life as a branch that was under tension snapped and hit him in the eye. Glad you did not get hurt badly.

[Pat B]

Thanks Bue. I'm glad I have a hard head.I go back in tomorrow for an evaluation and redressing of the wound and get the stitches out in 10 days.
 Again I reiterate...please be careful and observant out there in the woods. These things happen so suddenly and without warning.

[Roy from Pa]

Dang Pat...
Glad you are ok.
Cutting trees is dangerous chit...

[Pat B]

Yes it is and I was very fortunate it was basically a flesh wound although a big one.
 Marcia said my head looked like a melon that fell off the truck.

[Pat B]

Just got back from the hospital for evaluation and redressing. here is what it looks like...


the good news is they gave me a new hat...

[Burnsie]

Holy Cow Pat!!
That looks serious - you are one lucky man.  I'm glad you are on the mend.

[Buemaker]

Wow, that is some serious stitching. I hope it grows nicely together.

[Pat B]

Just glad it didn't mess up that beautiful face. 

[Buemaker]

Have your wife embroider TG on that headgear.

[Pat B]

I was very lucky. It could have been very serious, more than just a scalp laceration. My wife, Marcia is a real trooper, not faltering in a time of need. This is the worst but over our 47 years she's had to take me to the ER a few times.
I thought I was being safe. The red oak hung up in other smaller trees and I studied the situation from all sides over a few days. Started removing the smaller trees I could safely and as the big red oak slowly sank to the ground I was cutting firewood length logs from the top back. I still don't know what hit me other than it being a branch. I'll go back up there in a few days and do a little investigating.
 Please everyone be careful out in the woods.

[Longcruise]

Have your wife embroider TG on that headgear.

Yeah,  or Stihl.

[kennym]

Dang Pat that's rough!! Glad you're mending ...

[Pat B]

Thanks guys. It gets better each day.Still have a slight headache but it could have been so much worse.

[Roy from Pa]

Holly chit dude.
Glad you are still with us.
 

[Pat B]

Me too, Roy. 

[Pat B]

I walked back up to the scene of the crime this morning. First time out except around the yard since it happened.I was incredibly lucky!

this had to be the culprit. It was laying on top of what I was cutting. My ear muffs were laying not far away. must have been knocked off my head. The cut oak log to the left is about 12" in diameter. The piece that hit me is about 8" at its butt.


 the old rotted pine top that hit me is 10' to 12' long. The trunk, still standing was 20 feet away so I hadn't even considered it and have no idea why it fell except it was its time. Boy, was I lucky!

[TC209X50]

I unfortunately found a guy that was leaf blowing his yard, beautiful day, zero wind and still as a mouse evening. He had earmuffs on, and a leaf blower strapped to his back when an ash treetop fell much like the size in your picture, snapped his neck. He never knew what happened. You're a lucky man, glad you'll be okay say an extra word of thanks.

[Pat B]

Yes, I was very lucky. A freak accident, not what I was working on. I had cut the oak tree 2 or 3 days before and was cutting the oak up when it happened.I may have loosened the top up and it just decided to fall that day.
Again, everyone heading to the woods whether cutting firewood or hunting, be aware of your surroundings. Not just what's on the ground or in front of you but what is in the trees and all around you.

[Watsonjay]

I just laid up a set of 80# recurve limbs and got them mounted on the riser. i'm doing some different lam configurations on 3 different sets.  One set will be 115 # and i'm trying a new recipe to get better longevity . My last set this heavy had compression fractures in the maple on the belly side, so i have a different plan this time.  The 3rd  set for this riser will only be 65- 70# and I could just use maple on those with .040 glass.

I'm experimenting with this Fossilized woven bamboo on the belly side. So far my tests are showing higher compression strength than maple. The epoxy infused bamboo is seriously hard stuff, but surprisingly flexible. I was afraid it might be to brittle at first, but its held up well on heavy bows so far.

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Dont hurt yourself pulling that back.