(Follow this link to see the May 2023 Priory Newsletter where this was recently published.)

Our Broken Tree

Some of you may have already heard that on Thursday, April 27th, a tractor trailer truck tried to make the turn from the northbound lane of Milwaukie Ave. onto Rhone street and snagged enough of one of our venerable horse chestnut trees with the top of his trailer that he tore off a big section of the tree. The tree fell toward the house and took down the power line supplying the house and our internet line. Happily no one was injured, although the accident managed to make a fair bit of noise and shake the house (I was inside at the time). Surprisingly, no other substantial damage was done.

We had the fire department out – just to make sure there wasn’t a hazard – and the power company, who advised us on steps to take. Since the tree lives in the parking strip next to the street, it is technically the city’s tree, so they were most willing to come out and clean up the tree. We were able to keep about ten feet of the trunk and I am hoping to turn the wood into lumber to make something (shoe racks? altar tops?) for the new addition.

Also, we were able to hire an electrician who came out and repaired the line. The accident happened at around 10:30am and it was all cleaned up and power was restored by 5pm. It took a bit longer to restore the internet, but it was back in service by Saturday. All in all, we were very fortunate.

The apology comes because I have been very slow in responding to peoples’ email and other contact; which slowness I am most regretful of. Taking care of the tree and the followup from that really took it out of me and then I had some other commitments, followed by a crashed computer. I have solved the computer problem and am hopeful of getting caught up with my email over the next few days. I am very sorry and I appreciate your patience