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MARTIN: |
Gordon, what did you do before you had power saws? |
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GORDON: |
Before chain saws, we had hand saws. They were for two men. They did
the trimming by hand too. This is faster. |
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MARTIN: |
And
noisier. These chain saws are very noisy. |
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GORDON: |
Yes. It was much quieter in those days. I've always used a chain
saw. |
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MARTIN: |
How
do you know which trees to cut, Gordon? |
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GORDON: |
They're marked. The buyer goes through the woods and marks those
trees he had bought. Then we go through and cut them. |
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MARTIN: |
How
many log cutters are there in this woods? |
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GORDON: |
There are three of us. |
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MARTIN: |
Do
you sometimes work together? I mean, do you sometimes work side by
side? |
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GORDON: |
Sometimes. One of us will cut the tree down, and then we trim the
tree together. I usually like to work alone. |
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MARTIN: |
Why? |
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GORDON: |
The
other log cutters are my brothers. Sometimes we argue. |
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MARTIN: |
What do you argue about? |
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GORDON: |
Which way to make the tree fall. They usually work very fast. I like
to study the trees. I like to plan. |
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MARTIN: |
So
you all work alone. |
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GORDON: |
They work together. I work alone. |
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MARTIN: |
Who
drives the tractor? |
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GORDON: |
That's my nephew. Sometimes my son helps him. It's a family
business. |
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MARTIN: |
Do
you own the sawmill? |
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GORDON: |
No,
the sawmill is owned by a big company in California, I think. But we
own the truck. The truck driver is my father. |
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MARTIN: |
Do
you only work for this sawmill? |
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GORDON: |
No.
Sometimes we work for this sawmill, sometimes we work for another.
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MARTIN: |
Is
there enough work for you in this area? |
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GORDON: |
We
work in five different states. Usually we work in Kentucky, but not
always. We like to work in Kentucky because it's close to our home.
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MARTIN: |
Do
you like your work? |
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GORDON: |
I
love it usually. I like to be outdoors. Too many people work
indoors. It's not good for them. I like to work with my family.
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MARTIN: |
Even when you argue? |
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GORDON: |
Martin, do you have brothers and sisters? |
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MARTIN: |
Yes. |
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GORDON: |
Do
you ever argue? |
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MARTIN: |
Sometimes. I know what you mean. |
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GORDON: |
I
enjoy being in the woods. I love trees. |
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MARTIN: |
Even if you're killing them. |
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GORDON: |
I
like living trees. I like to see a beautiful piece of furniture too.
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MARTIN: |
Are
we cutting too many of our trees? |
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GORDON: |
I
think so. We used to cut much larger trees. Now we cut quite small
ones. |
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MARTIN: |
Do
some companies plant new trees? |
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GORDON: |
Yes, but it takes many, many years for a tree to grow. Would you
like to trim this tree now? |
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MARTIN: |
I'll try. |
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GORDON: |
Then you can cut down the next one. |
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GORDON: |
That was well done. Do you want a job? |
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MARTIN: |
I
don't think so. That's very hard work. |
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