bonfire

I'm getting some good traction these days, but I know the dark days of winter have wily tentacles so I keep a sharp eye out for those. I feel like I can't get too much time outside. Mum told me that when I was a baby it was common practice to ensure babies had time outside everyday even in the winter. I have come to believe that regardless of age, time spent outside is a very good thing.

This weekend was a brilliant little reprieve from the harsh winter weather. With little or no wind, the temperature was in the single digits below freezing. We didn't seem much of the sun, but there was no snow to shovel and it was fantastic to be out of doors.

I walked into the living room on Saturday morning to find Snoot with a plastic pail in her hands looking a little pale. I set to work to encourage her which began with a bonfire. She's been fighting a flu/cold since before school was let out for the holiday season. Everyone here has battled this strain except me and stories are common where symptoms have been worse than what we experienced here.

When one cuts wood the hard way, without the use of tractors and such, it's often a devil's task for me to feel generous enough or that there is enough wood in the winter stock pile, to afford a big bonfire. One of the brush piles from last winter's cutting was within sight of the house and although good for the rabbits and all those that seek refuge from predators, it was a bit of any eye sore.

I got what I wanted out of the bid to give Manon a boost and Mother Nature was right there with us. There was plenty of fuel for the fire in that store of branches and there is still fuel for more. With three big double teamed efforts the pile retains about a third of it's contents. It reminds me that I had better make a beginning on the next years heating resource sometime soon.

I'll be interested to hear what kind of day Snoot had at school today and whether I can still see that nasty flu taking it out of her through her eyes.

I also got a drum machine loaded up to assist the music making and Snoot thought that was pretty cool.

It's a run day for me. I hope you all can find time to smell the fresh air where you are.