For the last couple of weeks, it has been cold, snowy and chilling to the bone; it is the type of day to go build a fire. Since I have a fireplace, you would think, hummm, easy to do, right? But, like most other good things in life, it takes a certain knack of getting a wood fire started.
History – Build a Fire
So, back during my early years. I remember our family owned a small wood burning cast-iron black stove. Our place was chilly during the winter months with not much heat. We had a small propane heater in the living room. to heat the whole house.
When our large bedroom was built, of course, it had no heat source in it but we had electric blankets. I remember trying to keep the bedroom door open to get some heat but my mom would always close it to keep the heat in the main part of the house. They would burn regular lumber in the stove. Sometimes, the chimney on the stove would burn red hot. That actually was a scary thing to do since it could have started the whole house on fire.
To Build a Fire
Thinking back, I remember reading Jack London’s short story about a male who ventures out on a sub zero day in the Yukon Territory with his Husky dog. He falls into the nearby water and gets wet. He realizes he needs to start a fire to dry off. Unfortunately, his fire goes out. His last match does not lite the fire and we can guess the bitter ending to this story.
So as I try to light this fireplace wood, I’m thinking back to man versus nature. OK, there is no way I’m going to freeze to death but I’m annoyed at my lack of fireplace starting skills. This is even with using small blocks of firewood starter. OK, I’m using a lot of those fireplace starters. I’m also thinking I need to buy some of those long fireplace starter matches. Somehow, during the COVID pandemic I needed up with a bunch of short wooden matches. Not great for starting a roaring fire in the fireplace.
Controlled Bush Burning – Too Much Fire
OK, I also remember once having a controlled fire to burn a bunch of bush and other wood. A large circular fire was started as we watched with a shovel handy for any flare ups. Well, a red fire truck rolled up into the yard. I don’t know if we needed a fire burning permit or not, but I guess that fire caused a lot of smoke. I’m not sure what the fire company told Dad but I think that was the last time we burned a lot of bush like that.
Ending Notes on to Build a Fire
As I write today’s blog, I’m hoping my firewood catches soon but I think I’m going to need some help on this project.
Believe me, I’m not too proud to ask for help when needed.
And besides, who doesn’t love a toasty fire on a cold night.
Resource Sites: Wikipedia, To Build a Fire