Joanna here, talking about enjoying her fire.
I'm lucky enough to heat with wood in the winter, so I have a fire going in the stove for about five months out of the year. I'm a hippie refugee to the country, rather than real country folk like my grandparents, so my woodstove has a clear glass door. I get to watch the fire burn. It never fails to lift my spirits.
My son sent me some packets of fire color. You toss this in and the chemical — this particular chemical is Cupric Sulfate — makes the fire burn green-blue.
These pictures can only give you a small taste of how lovely the fire is. It's like the auroa borealis — or
what I imagine the aurora borealis would look like. Seeing the Northern Lights is on my bucket list but I haven't managed to do it yet.
I understand the wood that floats in from the sea can just naturally burn with colors. That's something else I'd like to see.
Watching a fire burn is such a basic human kinda thing to do. I feel connected to my distant ancestors who no doubt sat around the fire working on their computers and playing video games far into the night as the wolves howled outside the cave.
Do you have a fireplace or woodstove or outdoor fire you get to watch?
I have a fireplace in the living room in this house. First time I’ve had a working fireplace since being an adult–and also the first time I’ve lived in a climate cold enough to burn wood in it at night. I’ve loved learning how to set a fire. And I like getting up and tending it from time to time. Sometimes it seems as if bits of stories live inside the flames and emerge to become part of what I’m writing. It’s kinda magical even without those extra colors–although they would be fun to try!
I have a fireplace in the living room in this house. First time I’ve had a working fireplace since being an adult–and also the first time I’ve lived in a climate cold enough to burn wood in it at night. I’ve loved learning how to set a fire. And I like getting up and tending it from time to time. Sometimes it seems as if bits of stories live inside the flames and emerge to become part of what I’m writing. It’s kinda magical even without those extra colors–although they would be fun to try!
I have a fireplace in the living room in this house. First time I’ve had a working fireplace since being an adult–and also the first time I’ve lived in a climate cold enough to burn wood in it at night. I’ve loved learning how to set a fire. And I like getting up and tending it from time to time. Sometimes it seems as if bits of stories live inside the flames and emerge to become part of what I’m writing. It’s kinda magical even without those extra colors–although they would be fun to try!
I have a fireplace in the living room in this house. First time I’ve had a working fireplace since being an adult–and also the first time I’ve lived in a climate cold enough to burn wood in it at night. I’ve loved learning how to set a fire. And I like getting up and tending it from time to time. Sometimes it seems as if bits of stories live inside the flames and emerge to become part of what I’m writing. It’s kinda magical even without those extra colors–although they would be fun to try!
I have a fireplace in the living room in this house. First time I’ve had a working fireplace since being an adult–and also the first time I’ve lived in a climate cold enough to burn wood in it at night. I’ve loved learning how to set a fire. And I like getting up and tending it from time to time. Sometimes it seems as if bits of stories live inside the flames and emerge to become part of what I’m writing. It’s kinda magical even without those extra colors–although they would be fun to try!
I love fires. I used to have a wood-burning stove but unfortunately without glass doors, so I had to leave the doors open to be able to see it. I moved, and now I have a gas fire – it has fake coals but real flames, and I love them too. I have never heard of fire colour before – it sounds beautiful. But I find flames mesmerising to watch even without the magic dust. (That’s why your dog is lying with her back to the fire – she’s afraid of being hypnotised!)
I love fires. I used to have a wood-burning stove but unfortunately without glass doors, so I had to leave the doors open to be able to see it. I moved, and now I have a gas fire – it has fake coals but real flames, and I love them too. I have never heard of fire colour before – it sounds beautiful. But I find flames mesmerising to watch even without the magic dust. (That’s why your dog is lying with her back to the fire – she’s afraid of being hypnotised!)
I love fires. I used to have a wood-burning stove but unfortunately without glass doors, so I had to leave the doors open to be able to see it. I moved, and now I have a gas fire – it has fake coals but real flames, and I love them too. I have never heard of fire colour before – it sounds beautiful. But I find flames mesmerising to watch even without the magic dust. (That’s why your dog is lying with her back to the fire – she’s afraid of being hypnotised!)
I love fires. I used to have a wood-burning stove but unfortunately without glass doors, so I had to leave the doors open to be able to see it. I moved, and now I have a gas fire – it has fake coals but real flames, and I love them too. I have never heard of fire colour before – it sounds beautiful. But I find flames mesmerising to watch even without the magic dust. (That’s why your dog is lying with her back to the fire – she’s afraid of being hypnotised!)
I love fires. I used to have a wood-burning stove but unfortunately without glass doors, so I had to leave the doors open to be able to see it. I moved, and now I have a gas fire – it has fake coals but real flames, and I love them too. I have never heard of fire colour before – it sounds beautiful. But I find flames mesmerising to watch even without the magic dust. (That’s why your dog is lying with her back to the fire – she’s afraid of being hypnotised!)
“I built a fire,” said Elmer, finally. “We’ll need it for cooking, but even if we had no need of it, I still would have built a fire. The Earth calls for a fire. The two of them go together. Man came up from savagery with fire. In all of man’s long history he never let the fire go out.” Clifford Simak, “Cemetery World”
“I built a fire,” said Elmer, finally. “We’ll need it for cooking, but even if we had no need of it, I still would have built a fire. The Earth calls for a fire. The two of them go together. Man came up from savagery with fire. In all of man’s long history he never let the fire go out.” Clifford Simak, “Cemetery World”
“I built a fire,” said Elmer, finally. “We’ll need it for cooking, but even if we had no need of it, I still would have built a fire. The Earth calls for a fire. The two of them go together. Man came up from savagery with fire. In all of man’s long history he never let the fire go out.” Clifford Simak, “Cemetery World”
“I built a fire,” said Elmer, finally. “We’ll need it for cooking, but even if we had no need of it, I still would have built a fire. The Earth calls for a fire. The two of them go together. Man came up from savagery with fire. In all of man’s long history he never let the fire go out.” Clifford Simak, “Cemetery World”
“I built a fire,” said Elmer, finally. “We’ll need it for cooking, but even if we had no need of it, I still would have built a fire. The Earth calls for a fire. The two of them go together. Man came up from savagery with fire. In all of man’s long history he never let the fire go out.” Clifford Simak, “Cemetery World”
I feed the fire and make sure the draft is right so it has enough air and cover it down so the coals will last overnight — it’s almost like having another animal in the place. Something I have to take care of.
I feed the fire and make sure the draft is right so it has enough air and cover it down so the coals will last overnight — it’s almost like having another animal in the place. Something I have to take care of.
I feed the fire and make sure the draft is right so it has enough air and cover it down so the coals will last overnight — it’s almost like having another animal in the place. Something I have to take care of.
I feed the fire and make sure the draft is right so it has enough air and cover it down so the coals will last overnight — it’s almost like having another animal in the place. Something I have to take care of.
I feed the fire and make sure the draft is right so it has enough air and cover it down so the coals will last overnight — it’s almost like having another animal in the place. Something I have to take care of.
I fear the dog lacks an artist’s soul. A very practical, hard-headed dog, overall. Dogs have as much difference in personality as people do, I should think.
But me, I just love watching the flames.
Those gas fires are very lovely. They have one at one of the coffee shops I frequent. Just beautiful.
I fear the dog lacks an artist’s soul. A very practical, hard-headed dog, overall. Dogs have as much difference in personality as people do, I should think.
But me, I just love watching the flames.
Those gas fires are very lovely. They have one at one of the coffee shops I frequent. Just beautiful.
I fear the dog lacks an artist’s soul. A very practical, hard-headed dog, overall. Dogs have as much difference in personality as people do, I should think.
But me, I just love watching the flames.
Those gas fires are very lovely. They have one at one of the coffee shops I frequent. Just beautiful.
I fear the dog lacks an artist’s soul. A very practical, hard-headed dog, overall. Dogs have as much difference in personality as people do, I should think.
But me, I just love watching the flames.
Those gas fires are very lovely. They have one at one of the coffee shops I frequent. Just beautiful.
I fear the dog lacks an artist’s soul. A very practical, hard-headed dog, overall. Dogs have as much difference in personality as people do, I should think.
But me, I just love watching the flames.
Those gas fires are very lovely. They have one at one of the coffee shops I frequent. Just beautiful.
That is just lovely. Thank you so much. (I love Simak anyway, but haven’t read that work of his.)
That is just lovely. Thank you so much. (I love Simak anyway, but haven’t read that work of his.)
That is just lovely. Thank you so much. (I love Simak anyway, but haven’t read that work of his.)
That is just lovely. Thank you so much. (I love Simak anyway, but haven’t read that work of his.)
That is just lovely. Thank you so much. (I love Simak anyway, but haven’t read that work of his.)
For the past several many years the fireplace in our living room has been the only heat during the colder months. Being in Southern California makes this possible.
There is something about a fireplace that warms the heart.
For the past several many years the fireplace in our living room has been the only heat during the colder months. Being in Southern California makes this possible.
There is something about a fireplace that warms the heart.
For the past several many years the fireplace in our living room has been the only heat during the colder months. Being in Southern California makes this possible.
There is something about a fireplace that warms the heart.
For the past several many years the fireplace in our living room has been the only heat during the colder months. Being in Southern California makes this possible.
There is something about a fireplace that warms the heart.
For the past several many years the fireplace in our living room has been the only heat during the colder months. Being in Southern California makes this possible.
There is something about a fireplace that warms the heart.
For me it’s art. Just art. I look forward to the winter just so I can use the woodstove.
For me it’s art. Just art. I look forward to the winter just so I can use the woodstove.
For me it’s art. Just art. I look forward to the winter just so I can use the woodstove.
For me it’s art. Just art. I look forward to the winter just so I can use the woodstove.
For me it’s art. Just art. I look forward to the winter just so I can use the woodstove.
If you have an open fire, you can add scent to the other attractions of a wood fire. My brother always begged for any trimmings from my lilac tree and he scrounged applewood as well. B-u-u-t, before he got the hang of it all, I used to find that after an hour sitting in front of his fire, all my clothes smelled like kippers.
If you have an open fire, you can add scent to the other attractions of a wood fire. My brother always begged for any trimmings from my lilac tree and he scrounged applewood as well. B-u-u-t, before he got the hang of it all, I used to find that after an hour sitting in front of his fire, all my clothes smelled like kippers.
If you have an open fire, you can add scent to the other attractions of a wood fire. My brother always begged for any trimmings from my lilac tree and he scrounged applewood as well. B-u-u-t, before he got the hang of it all, I used to find that after an hour sitting in front of his fire, all my clothes smelled like kippers.
If you have an open fire, you can add scent to the other attractions of a wood fire. My brother always begged for any trimmings from my lilac tree and he scrounged applewood as well. B-u-u-t, before he got the hang of it all, I used to find that after an hour sitting in front of his fire, all my clothes smelled like kippers.
If you have an open fire, you can add scent to the other attractions of a wood fire. My brother always begged for any trimmings from my lilac tree and he scrounged applewood as well. B-u-u-t, before he got the hang of it all, I used to find that after an hour sitting in front of his fire, all my clothes smelled like kippers.
Oh giggle.
I haven’t thought of putting something with scent into the fire.
The man who sells firewood to me tells me there’s a long-dead apple tree he wishes he could bring up to me … but it’s out in a marshy are and he can’t get his truck out to it to haul wood back.
Oh giggle.
I haven’t thought of putting something with scent into the fire.
The man who sells firewood to me tells me there’s a long-dead apple tree he wishes he could bring up to me … but it’s out in a marshy are and he can’t get his truck out to it to haul wood back.
Oh giggle.
I haven’t thought of putting something with scent into the fire.
The man who sells firewood to me tells me there’s a long-dead apple tree he wishes he could bring up to me … but it’s out in a marshy are and he can’t get his truck out to it to haul wood back.
Oh giggle.
I haven’t thought of putting something with scent into the fire.
The man who sells firewood to me tells me there’s a long-dead apple tree he wishes he could bring up to me … but it’s out in a marshy are and he can’t get his truck out to it to haul wood back.
Oh giggle.
I haven’t thought of putting something with scent into the fire.
The man who sells firewood to me tells me there’s a long-dead apple tree he wishes he could bring up to me … but it’s out in a marshy are and he can’t get his truck out to it to haul wood back.
Lovely, Jo! I think watching fire and water are equally mesmerizing. We have a fireplace in the den, and on particularly cold or nasty nights, I burn a log. (Usually a pressed wood one because I’m lazy, alas.)
There is definitely a primal satisfaction in watching fire from a safe distance. But there’s a lot to be said for central heating as well. *G*
Lovely, Jo! I think watching fire and water are equally mesmerizing. We have a fireplace in the den, and on particularly cold or nasty nights, I burn a log. (Usually a pressed wood one because I’m lazy, alas.)
There is definitely a primal satisfaction in watching fire from a safe distance. But there’s a lot to be said for central heating as well. *G*
Lovely, Jo! I think watching fire and water are equally mesmerizing. We have a fireplace in the den, and on particularly cold or nasty nights, I burn a log. (Usually a pressed wood one because I’m lazy, alas.)
There is definitely a primal satisfaction in watching fire from a safe distance. But there’s a lot to be said for central heating as well. *G*
Lovely, Jo! I think watching fire and water are equally mesmerizing. We have a fireplace in the den, and on particularly cold or nasty nights, I burn a log. (Usually a pressed wood one because I’m lazy, alas.)
There is definitely a primal satisfaction in watching fire from a safe distance. But there’s a lot to be said for central heating as well. *G*
Lovely, Jo! I think watching fire and water are equally mesmerizing. We have a fireplace in the den, and on particularly cold or nasty nights, I burn a log. (Usually a pressed wood one because I’m lazy, alas.)
There is definitely a primal satisfaction in watching fire from a safe distance. But there’s a lot to be said for central heating as well. *G*
I’d love to try that! We have a pretty big fireplace, but as it’s summer here (and a very hot one, at that!) I won’t be trying it any time soon…
I’d love to try that! We have a pretty big fireplace, but as it’s summer here (and a very hot one, at that!) I won’t be trying it any time soon…
I’d love to try that! We have a pretty big fireplace, but as it’s summer here (and a very hot one, at that!) I won’t be trying it any time soon…
I’d love to try that! We have a pretty big fireplace, but as it’s summer here (and a very hot one, at that!) I won’t be trying it any time soon…
I’d love to try that! We have a pretty big fireplace, but as it’s summer here (and a very hot one, at that!) I won’t be trying it any time soon…
Always a winter to come and the chance to try out some colors …
I get pretty cold up here. Temps in the teens and twenties are common, dipping down into the single digits sometimes. (That would be ten to twenty below in Centigrade.)
A fire in the hearth makes it all cozy.
Always a winter to come and the chance to try out some colors …
I get pretty cold up here. Temps in the teens and twenties are common, dipping down into the single digits sometimes. (That would be ten to twenty below in Centigrade.)
A fire in the hearth makes it all cozy.
Always a winter to come and the chance to try out some colors …
I get pretty cold up here. Temps in the teens and twenties are common, dipping down into the single digits sometimes. (That would be ten to twenty below in Centigrade.)
A fire in the hearth makes it all cozy.
Always a winter to come and the chance to try out some colors …
I get pretty cold up here. Temps in the teens and twenties are common, dipping down into the single digits sometimes. (That would be ten to twenty below in Centigrade.)
A fire in the hearth makes it all cozy.
Always a winter to come and the chance to try out some colors …
I get pretty cold up here. Temps in the teens and twenties are common, dipping down into the single digits sometimes. (That would be ten to twenty below in Centigrade.)
A fire in the hearth makes it all cozy.
Now if Central Heating would just come with a sound, light, and scent show …
I imagine folks who don’t get to burn wood every day make up for that by having a particularly wonderful experience when they do. It’s easy to take even great beauty for granted when it’s part of the domestic routine.
Now if Central Heating would just come with a sound, light, and scent show …
I imagine folks who don’t get to burn wood every day make up for that by having a particularly wonderful experience when they do. It’s easy to take even great beauty for granted when it’s part of the domestic routine.
Now if Central Heating would just come with a sound, light, and scent show …
I imagine folks who don’t get to burn wood every day make up for that by having a particularly wonderful experience when they do. It’s easy to take even great beauty for granted when it’s part of the domestic routine.
Now if Central Heating would just come with a sound, light, and scent show …
I imagine folks who don’t get to burn wood every day make up for that by having a particularly wonderful experience when they do. It’s easy to take even great beauty for granted when it’s part of the domestic routine.
Now if Central Heating would just come with a sound, light, and scent show …
I imagine folks who don’t get to burn wood every day make up for that by having a particularly wonderful experience when they do. It’s easy to take even great beauty for granted when it’s part of the domestic routine.
So true, Jo. A fire for heating and maybe cooking is a staple of life. A fire that isn’t necessary makes us aware of the aesthetics of fire. Yours is beautiful. Does the cat appreciate it any more than the dog? *G* One of my cats loves watching flames. The others aren’t interested.
So true, Jo. A fire for heating and maybe cooking is a staple of life. A fire that isn’t necessary makes us aware of the aesthetics of fire. Yours is beautiful. Does the cat appreciate it any more than the dog? *G* One of my cats loves watching flames. The others aren’t interested.
So true, Jo. A fire for heating and maybe cooking is a staple of life. A fire that isn’t necessary makes us aware of the aesthetics of fire. Yours is beautiful. Does the cat appreciate it any more than the dog? *G* One of my cats loves watching flames. The others aren’t interested.
So true, Jo. A fire for heating and maybe cooking is a staple of life. A fire that isn’t necessary makes us aware of the aesthetics of fire. Yours is beautiful. Does the cat appreciate it any more than the dog? *G* One of my cats loves watching flames. The others aren’t interested.
So true, Jo. A fire for heating and maybe cooking is a staple of life. A fire that isn’t necessary makes us aware of the aesthetics of fire. Yours is beautiful. Does the cat appreciate it any more than the dog? *G* One of my cats loves watching flames. The others aren’t interested.
As a child I could create a whole other world just by gazing into a fire. It was peaceful. I don’t have a fireplace to enjoy now but perhaps one day in the future I will again.
As a child I could create a whole other world just by gazing into a fire. It was peaceful. I don’t have a fireplace to enjoy now but perhaps one day in the future I will again.
As a child I could create a whole other world just by gazing into a fire. It was peaceful. I don’t have a fireplace to enjoy now but perhaps one day in the future I will again.
As a child I could create a whole other world just by gazing into a fire. It was peaceful. I don’t have a fireplace to enjoy now but perhaps one day in the future I will again.
As a child I could create a whole other world just by gazing into a fire. It was peaceful. I don’t have a fireplace to enjoy now but perhaps one day in the future I will again.
The cat is absolutely not interested.
The cat’s approach to life might be described as … sleep sleep sleep eat claw furniture sleep sleep sleep look there’s a mouse chase it chase it chase it oh well I’ll get it next time sleep sleep sleep …
The cat is absolutely not interested.
The cat’s approach to life might be described as … sleep sleep sleep eat claw furniture sleep sleep sleep look there’s a mouse chase it chase it chase it oh well I’ll get it next time sleep sleep sleep …
The cat is absolutely not interested.
The cat’s approach to life might be described as … sleep sleep sleep eat claw furniture sleep sleep sleep look there’s a mouse chase it chase it chase it oh well I’ll get it next time sleep sleep sleep …
The cat is absolutely not interested.
The cat’s approach to life might be described as … sleep sleep sleep eat claw furniture sleep sleep sleep look there’s a mouse chase it chase it chase it oh well I’ll get it next time sleep sleep sleep …
The cat is absolutely not interested.
The cat’s approach to life might be described as … sleep sleep sleep eat claw furniture sleep sleep sleep look there’s a mouse chase it chase it chase it oh well I’ll get it next time sleep sleep sleep …
I’ll admit that when I went looking for a new place to live, one of the things I was looking for was a fireplace ….
I will wish you a fireplace in your future.
I’ll admit that when I went looking for a new place to live, one of the things I was looking for was a fireplace ….
I will wish you a fireplace in your future.
I’ll admit that when I went looking for a new place to live, one of the things I was looking for was a fireplace ….
I will wish you a fireplace in your future.
I’ll admit that when I went looking for a new place to live, one of the things I was looking for was a fireplace ….
I will wish you a fireplace in your future.
I’ll admit that when I went looking for a new place to live, one of the things I was looking for was a fireplace ….
I will wish you a fireplace in your future.
Joanna, we have the same woodstove 🙂
we love how the soapstone looks and how it holds and slowly releases the heat…
we use ours in winter to keep the electric bill manageable… if I had a photo to send, it would include a small herd of cats jostling for the “good” spots in front of the fire 🙂
Joanna, we have the same woodstove 🙂
we love how the soapstone looks and how it holds and slowly releases the heat…
we use ours in winter to keep the electric bill manageable… if I had a photo to send, it would include a small herd of cats jostling for the “good” spots in front of the fire 🙂
Joanna, we have the same woodstove 🙂
we love how the soapstone looks and how it holds and slowly releases the heat…
we use ours in winter to keep the electric bill manageable… if I had a photo to send, it would include a small herd of cats jostling for the “good” spots in front of the fire 🙂
Joanna, we have the same woodstove 🙂
we love how the soapstone looks and how it holds and slowly releases the heat…
we use ours in winter to keep the electric bill manageable… if I had a photo to send, it would include a small herd of cats jostling for the “good” spots in front of the fire 🙂
Joanna, we have the same woodstove 🙂
we love how the soapstone looks and how it holds and slowly releases the heat…
we use ours in winter to keep the electric bill manageable… if I had a photo to send, it would include a small herd of cats jostling for the “good” spots in front of the fire 🙂
My cat and dog squabble over the best spot in front of the hearth when the cabin gets cold.
The cat wins … *g*
My cat and dog squabble over the best spot in front of the hearth when the cabin gets cold.
The cat wins … *g*
My cat and dog squabble over the best spot in front of the hearth when the cabin gets cold.
The cat wins … *g*
My cat and dog squabble over the best spot in front of the hearth when the cabin gets cold.
The cat wins … *g*
My cat and dog squabble over the best spot in front of the hearth when the cabin gets cold.
The cat wins … *g*
I’ve only had one Christmas that cold, and unfortunately we had no snow. 🙁
I’ve only had one Christmas that cold, and unfortunately we had no snow. 🙁
I’ve only had one Christmas that cold, and unfortunately we had no snow. 🙁
I’ve only had one Christmas that cold, and unfortunately we had no snow. 🙁
I’ve only had one Christmas that cold, and unfortunately we had no snow. 🙁