Wood Chopping

Posted on Wed Feb 25th, 2026 @ 4:41pm by Survivor Joshua MacCallan & Survivor Carmen Harris & Survivor Mackenzie Ellis & Survivor René Rouen & Survivor Jack Harris & Survivor Roman Quinn

1,056 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Winter's hope
Location: Homestead
Timeline: October 2nd 2010, mid morning

Joshua and Carmen dragged Axes into the two wheelbarrows and pushed them to join the group by the barn.

Carmen looked at the trees. It was getting colder and they would need the wood soon enough. So cutting the trees now would mean they could dry it out in time.

René stepped out of the barn and trotted over to where Joshua and Carmen stood near the tree line. He slowed to a walk as he finished approaching. "Bonjour Monsieur MacCallan, Mademoiselle Harris."

A few moments later Roman came from around the corner, Seeing Rene, Joshua and Carmen he approached a bright smile on his face. "Hi, Rene, Josh, Carmen. Ready to be lumberjacks?"

Carmen nodded. She opened her mouth to speak but Mackenzie came running out.

"Sorry" the woman gasped.

"All good." Carmen said.

Josh nodded. "Lets get these trees down."

"Right, you are. Anybody have an idea on how many trees will need to chop down?" Roman inquired.

René looked up at the towering trees. He then looked about at the woodland stretching out before them. "Depends on what we will need the wood for such as cooking, heating or construction."

"Ahh. Yes, I see. You are right Rene, forgive me. it was a stupid question." Roman replied with a smile.

At that moment, Jack, the oldest of the Harris children, approached the group. "Is there anything I can do to help you guys?" He looked at the group as he spoke.

Carmen flashed her brother a smile and handed him an axe. "Pick a tree" she quipped. "We can dry them out in the barn."

René took an axe from the wheelbarrow and joined Jack Harris by a tree with a thick trunk. "You ready?" He raised the axe over his shoulder and landed the first chop.

The group began chopping down trees together with little comment.

Work progressed quickly as trees were felled and then cut into smaller more manageable sections for the homesteaders to use.

Jack worked hard, stripping the branches from the felled trees. Once he had stripped each one, he then chopped them into smaller lengths. Once that was done, each piece was stacked on the wood racks, so they could dry out, before they were split and used for firewood.

Roman was making small piles of kindling wood to go with the bigger pieces of wood, the kindling would be used as an ignitor to get the bigger pieces burning.

René continued using the big lumber axe to fell trees. He liked the simple, repetitive work. It gave him the opportunity to think about things. He paused in his work for a moment as Roman walked by. "Doctor Quinn. May I have a word with you at the break?"

Roman stopped his work as Rene spoke to him, "Certainly you can Rene. I look forward to the conversation."

René nodded, a slight expression of apprehension crossing his face. "Merci Doctor Quinn." He returned to his work and felled another two trees before the break was called. He took his axe to the wheel barrow and sought out Vienna's older brother (and only surviving male relative). He took a seat, but was quiet for a moment, almost like he was scared to speak.

Roman could feel Rene's apprehension. It radiated off him in waves. He smiled at the younger man, hoping to ease the tension. "So, what's on your mind Rene? What did you want to talk to me about?"

René inhaled sharply and let it out with a sigh. He dug out a small felt covered box and fiddled with it. He swallowed hard before popping the lid to reveal a diamond ring he had found during the week long scavenging run he and his grandfather had returned from a couple of days ago. "I wanted to get your permission to give this to Vienna on her birthday. I know that I should ask her father but...."

Roman saw the ring, noticed how beautiful it was . He also knew what the ring signified. "It is a beautiful ring Rene." He admitted. " But our father is dead. So you ask me and I am honored that you think enough of me to do so." He studied the younger man for a moment before speaking. "Vienna will be pleased and honored to receive such a ring especially from you. I know how she feels about you and it is obvious how you feel about her. You are good for each other. You not only have my permission to give Vienna the ring but my blessing as well."

René's eyes popped wide with surprise. He gave Roman a joyful smile and grasped the doctor's hand in an energetic handshake. "Merci beaucoup! I promise to do everything in my power to make her happy and to keep her safe every day." He thought for a moment and frowned. "I hope Chloé and Grandpere will be as supportive, but there is one problem. Where are we going to find a Catholic priest?"

Roman smiled and gave Rene's hand a firm shake. "I know you will Rene, I have no doubts about that. I'm sure Chloe and your Grandfather will be supportive of your wishes. As for finding a Catholic priest. let's do one step at a time."

René gave a soft chuckle as he nodded. "Of course." He stood up and retrieved his axe

Roman nodded, "Don't worry Rene, everything is going to work out, you'll see."

René let out a soft sigh and hoisted the axe onto his shoulder to resume chopping down trees. Despite the long hours of work, he felt strangely energized from his conversation with Roman.

Carmen began lugging logs to the barn to dry them out. She was focused on work, ignoring the chatting.

Mackenzie came passed and said "Storm incoming!" She kept on moving. "Get things inside!"

René gathered all the tools and placed them in the wheelbarrow. He glanced at the sky and then to the fallen trees and pile of sawed logs. "Leave the big stuff. We'll put the smaller logs on the leeward side of the barn as soon as the tools are hung up."

"I'm going to grab some of the kindling wood and a couple of the bigger logs. They will help keep us warm through the night." Roman stated.

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