Starting a Fire

     Well, it's finaly getting a little cool here in northwest Arkansas. The temperature was low 50's last night and the house  about 60 this morning. Me being me, I dressed in my standard trashy shorts and t-shirt with no shoes. I have been freezing my ass off all day and my feet are like blocks of ice. Did I change clothes?...No. So this afternoon I got tired of it and decided to start the first fire of the year in Lopi the stove (the name's on the door). Not to be confused with loopey, which describes the inhabitants of the house. Namely Denise, myself and Shere-Khan (the hunter cat).

     There is something unique about wood heat. First, it's free as we have more dead branches lying around than I can burn. The propane here is extreemly expensive. Second, the flickering glow appeals to some primitive area of your brain and has a calming effect. Kind of like sitting around a campfire. And third, the level top is a great place to cook food like beans, chili and today corn in the husk. There is also that woodsey smokey smell that reminds you of a barbeque. It also functions as our TV set in the wintertime, only one channel available.

     I have some pinto beans soaking as here in the South pinto beans and cornbread rate as high as a good grilled ribeye and potato as food from heaven. If you put a little ham or sausage in the beans and top them with a some pepper vinegar or Tabasco and put the whole mess on some steaming cornbread crumbled up.....aaaaah. Some people just don't know how to eat. I was raised on the stuff. Of coarse, it's good to have some boiled turnip, collard or mustard greens on the side for your vegetable. Most true southerners also cover these with the pepper vinegar or Tabasco.

   I start with some junk mail and wad it into a bunch of balls and pile it next to a medium-sized piece of wood. You can add some candle wax shavings to the top of the paper to ensure your success. Top this with a good handful of match sized twigs that I get by wandering around our yard. Do a lean-to type placement. You top the whole mess with a few one inch branches so the flames will be sure to lick them. Make sure and open the damper or it fills your house with smoke. I've done that a few times. Use a long match or lighter to light up a few places of the paper. Leave the door open until the flame is going real good. Then you add some bigger wood, close the door and viola'. You have a fire. You can then close the damper until the smoke just barely goes up the chimney.

     You now have a crackling warm fire to heat you and anybody else with you. Hot cocao or other beverage of choice is a great compliment. Enjoy!

Marty