A Roaring Fire
As we enjoy a cold snap right now, there is nothing better than sitting by a roaring fire in the evenings. I have been reading Little
Women by Louisa May Alcott to my family as we listen to the crackle of the wood burning in the fireplace and feel the heat radiate into our living room. Instead of watching television, our evenings of late have been reminiscent of times in the past. Times when families mended socks and oiled their boots while listening to a book being read or instrument being played.
In the mornings one of the first things we do is start the fire again. Then the kids and I keep it going until the sun warms the air to a cool, but comfortable temperature. Depending on how cold the night was, it can take some time before the fire can remove the chill in our home. Until then, we dress for winter. We pile on warm pajamas, sweat shirts, house shoes, and/or sweaters.
As I stood before the fire this morning trying to warm myself, I could not help but remember wintertime in my childhood home not further than a two mile drive from my home now. It is a two-story home that my parents built with their own two hands. We did not have central heat and air for many, many years. A wood-burning stove in the living room was our only source for heat.
It is a much more effective device for heating a home than a typical fireplace. So if you are designing an energy efficient home, look into wood-burning stoves as an alternative. In fact, I learned at a very early age that heat rises. My room would be toasty as long as the fires burned within the stove.
Some nights my parents did not get up and feed the fire. My dad, who is always an early riser, would get up around 4 o’clock to start the fire again. It took awhile for the wood-stove to heat the chilled house. My mom would climb the ladder to our second floor in order to wake my brother and I for school two hours later. There were mornings when it was so cold I could see my breath. The truth was it was nice and warm in my bed under my covers, but getting out of bed was a challenge.
Fortunately, my mother made us lay out of school clothes the night before so that our morning routine went smoothly. I would eye them and locate my shoes on the floor. When I had given myself a pep talk of sorts, I sprang out of bed, grabbed my clothing, and rushed down the stairs making a bee line to the wood-burning stove.
The goal was to get there before my brother because if he beat me then I had to wait. We would stand beside the stove in order to warm our bodies as we laid our clothing on the sides of the stove. There was nothing better than pulling on warm jeans on a cold morning.
I had to smile as I remembered the long flannel nightgowns I wore with socks back then. I must have been a sight! I think back on those days fondly. I have grown up, but my love for a fire has not changed.
This past Thanksgiving evening was a cool one. I asked my husband if it was cold enough to have a fire. I knew from his initial facial expression that it was not, but he quickly smiled at me and said, “Honey, if we have to open the windows, I will build you a fire.” And, he did; although, we did not open the windows. We were just really warm.
As much as I like a fire, respect them. They can easily get out of hand. Children can get hurt or burned. An unattended fire can burn down your home. But taking the right precautions and safety measures allows you to enjoy the sound, smell, warmth, and appearance of a roaring fire. Does anyone else love a nice roaring fire on a cold day?
I remember lying in bed at night with my hand up against the wall by my bed, because the fireplace was on the other side of the wall, and I fell asleep toasty warm. I also loved propping my feet up on the hearth until they felt like they were on fire!! Papa and Mama loved their big ole fireplace!
I got cozy reading this one! Yes, we too love a good fire and a chilly night. I guess being a Southerner (Louisiana) makes the “chilly” weather so much more special.