It has been my chore and often my joy to fire up the stoker on a brisk August night. The saying "Wood heat warms you twice" is true, actually it is more like several times. For your consideration the effort of cutting, loading and offloading the wood, splitting, piling the wood and later bringing it into the house even kindling the fire can work up a "glow".
That same crisp August nights might bring a frost, or worse yet a freeze especially for the vegetable garden. The warmth moves slowly thru the house, warming not just the air but everything in it. It is temping to dream of long winter nights reading, sewing, crafting and letter writing. Those things which one missed doing on summer nights, when one was work weary from gardening, painting, "gotta git that done" stuff.
So there i am staring into the flames, hoping that the outdoor temp will drop just enough for the draft to be strong. The fire will then burn well and not go out, or smolder and smoke.
So quiet tonight, no fireworks and/or music off in the distance, few vehicles on the road this Labor Day Eve. I am surprised by that.
Having the house to myself for awhile, sitting here watching the flames will give me a chance to think good thoughts, "time travel ", watch the headlights of passing vehicles dance across the stone walls, just enjoying the warmth, listening to the silence in solitude.
