Who all is done burning til this Fall?

it's 60f outside but more winter is yet to come .. we've had snow at end of March in Tulsa before.

Oh no. Black snakes are not the same thing as Garter snakes (always have stripes, rarely top 3'). Black snakes get pretty long, 3'-4'. As a kid in NH I had horses. Never could understand why friends had rodent problems in their barns until one day in late Feb./early March when I saw him coiled up on the granite foundation, basking in the reflected southern light/warmth... way fatter than a garden hose. He was one serious snake. I was alternately freaked out and fascinated. Decided that we could co-exist and I was always on the "look out" for him after that!

I've got about 3 days worth in the pile close to the house but I've already gone through most of a cord that was destined for next winter. Hauling it one armful at a time from a shed 100' away. Probably will end up almost 2 cords over normal by the time we're through with this winter. I was busy last night chopping drainage ditches off our laneway. I had a pond forming that was going to be serious trouble if not drained. So, even though we've got a month of winter left, we'll be fighting the flooding season at the same time. It should get pretty bad in our area. I've got the generator going right now trying to pump water to where it won't cause a problem in the hopes it will help later .

Long way aways from getting done . . . learned a long time ago to just embrace the seasons and take the weather as it comes.

Bobbin said:

Snakes love wood stacks! warm, secure, and where there is stacked wood there are mice... McDonald's for our reptilian friends. We have some handsome Milk Snakes, pushin' 3' in and around our wood stacks. And a few large black ones that hang out in and around the compost pile and the "burn pile". I know they're there, but I still squeal and dance when one catches me by surprise. (they creep me out, but I think snakes are pretty cool and laugh at myself when I get "all stupid")

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i like our garden snakes. its so cute how they try to scare you by going toward you, then if you keep after them they change directions and try to get away. i like to catch 'em and pet them. i call my 7 yr old out, so she can hold them, but she won't. she does touch them with a finger. in contrast, my cousins live of a farm in SE texas and the sound of a rattle in a ditch near your feet around sunset will cause you to soil yourself.

I'm sure the copperheads get in the covered wood stacks as well. However, I don't have to do anything with the wood under my shed roof storage areas; I just let the sun and wind do their thing. With the tarp covered wood I was pulling the tarp off on the days when the weather report was for sun all day and no chance of rain. One morning I actually put my hand down right on top of a copperhead that was warming up on the top of the pile when I pulled the tarp off. I was looking at the other end of the pile and didn't pay attention to where I was putting my hand down. As soon as I felt its cool rubbery skin I knew exactly what I was touching and pulled my hand away without getting bit. I guess he was still too cold to react that early in the morning.

Our ten day forecast looks pretty cold so I'll be bringing in more wood I guess.

You lucky dog! At least ten more days of cozying up to the wood stove!

I'm moving another 2 face cord to the porch Sunday and am not the least bit upset about it!

jotul8e2 said:

Our forecast: Today - 60 deg. Monday - 40 deg. Tues - 35 deg. Wed. 35 deg. Thurs. - 35 deg.

I'll be firing up the stove Sunday for at least another week of 24/7 burns.

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60 below today!! Man! Keep that fire stoked and bundle up!

I must be sick cuz I still love it all.

I'll be more jovial after I get the car dug out and I have wheels again. I heard the state next to us, Minnesota has called out the Guard to clear the freeways of cars from yesterday's storm. And Minnesota is no slouch on keeping their roads kept up in the winter either!

WiscWoody said:

I'll be more jovial after I get the car dug out and I have wheels again. I heard the state next to us, Minnesota has called out the Guard to clear the freeways of cars from yesterday's storm. And Minnesota is no slouch on keeping their roads kept up in the winter either!

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Rough winter out your way, I was reading about Duluth setting all kinds of records, already most days below zero and many more to come. So far they've averaged 3.3 degrees for the winter, that's Siberia type weather.

I have 1/2 cord left of planned wood for the year. That will last to the end of March. I weather is the weather. I can not control that. The thing that it showed me this year is the inefficiencies in my house and particularly my windows and attic. This summer will be to upgrade my r-value around the house.

tsquini said:

I have 1/2 cord left of planned wood for the year. That will last to the end of March. I weather is the weather. I can not control that. The thing that it showed me this year is the inefficiencies in my house and particularly my windows and attic. This summer will be to upgrade my r-value around the house.

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That's always a good thing, doesn't hurt to get as much wood as you can too this summer. If you're not way ahead try to get some ash, maple cherry and stay away from oak, hickory, sugar maple or save it for later if you have room.

weatherguy said:

Rough winter out your way, I was reading about Duluth setting all kinds of records, already most days below zero and many more to come. So far they've averaged 3.3 degrees for the winter, that's Siberia type weather.

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Yeah, Duluth got 17" from yesterdays storm. I'm 80 miles south east of Duluth and didn't get hit as hard. I know its been a tough winter for many especially the NE. But, it is the weekend... Cheers!!

I have enough of this years supply to get to the end of March. If April is cold I am left with burning oak I CSS 5 months ago... not so good. It will burn and hopefully it will be mild if I need to burn at all in April but I really don't wanna.

Sorry for you guys,,,but I love winter. I hate to see the mud of spring coming. Wish it would go direct from winter to summer. I could use another 2-3 weeks of cold to burn what is stacked outside the door. Let it snow!

I usually have 30% more wood than I think I'll need, but this year being colder and the new Mansfield, I actually used about 10 % less than this time last year. I'm waiting on a few new parts for the saws and sharpening my 35 chains to get back to cutting and splitting for next year , soon as the mud dries mid May.

I'm fine with winter continuing. Guess I enjoy wood heat too much to stop. Playing with the 24 x 7 campfire is just me. Not looking forward to shoulder season and all those relights though. However, its kindof fun to just toss a few small sticks of pine in to take the chill out. It will take my better hardwoods again next week as we glide back into the single digits. I don't like the freeze thaw cycles and mess trying to get in/out of the fields of timber. Need to get the cut'n all done before the trees start filling out.

I am out of wood, but recently realized my golf course has plenty of free seasoned wood for members!! So I've been making trips ove there - enjoying the stove but yet dreaming of teeing off.....

It's getting old, I like 4 seasons but it has been trending to 6 mo of winter and 6 mo of summer lately.

Maine has no poisonous snakes. We do, however, have negative temperatures predicted for next week. I'm touching up the cement on the old stove I'm trying to limp through this winter so she can make the final push to Spring.

I t

JustWood said:

Fat lady ain't even close to a tune The 5 big ice cubes to the west are telling me it will be a long cold spring !

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I think you are right, we are into ice right now and cooler temps on the way. Quitting is not an option!!