I was looking over my stacks last weekend and noticed that a big chunk of one of my holz hausens was missing. This is the pile that I intend to burn this winter- about 2.5-3 cords, seasoned for 18 months. The missing chunk was on the back side of the holz, away from my view. This holz sits at the back of my property against a fence that abuts a neighbor's back yard. Easy "pickins" for someone leaning over the fence.
I've noticed that this backyard neighbor has been sitting outside the past few weekends burning fires in his outdoor fireplace. I also recalled that he doesn't have any stacks of wood in his yard. Last weekend when I was out, he asked over the fence if we were giving away any wood. I told him, "no, but my 13 year old kid would be happy to sell him some." So, he buys a big bundle from my kid for $10. This bundle would easily sell at the gas station for $20. Later, I was looking around my piles and discovered the missing "chunk" from the back of my holz.
So the other night, I left a note attached to the back side of my holz addressed to "You firewood stealin' varmint" and let him know that we "carefully and lovingly stack and dry this wood to heat our house, REALLY" and that the large amount of other wood in my yard wasn't dry for this winter yet (I embellished a bit!) and that "we might run out of wood to heat the house this year". I guess I hit him in a soft spot, because he came over while I was at work and gave my 13 year old $30 and purchased more wood from my kid. He wants my kid to bring wood over every weekend and he'll pay him cash money. My kid is excited to earn a buck. I'm excited that my kid's excited! A teachable moment?!
So, I think there is honor among thieves. (sort of)
I've noticed that this backyard neighbor has been sitting outside the past few weekends burning fires in his outdoor fireplace. I also recalled that he doesn't have any stacks of wood in his yard. Last weekend when I was out, he asked over the fence if we were giving away any wood. I told him, "no, but my 13 year old kid would be happy to sell him some." So, he buys a big bundle from my kid for $10. This bundle would easily sell at the gas station for $20. Later, I was looking around my piles and discovered the missing "chunk" from the back of my holz.
So the other night, I left a note attached to the back side of my holz addressed to "You firewood stealin' varmint" and let him know that we "carefully and lovingly stack and dry this wood to heat our house, REALLY" and that the large amount of other wood in my yard wasn't dry for this winter yet (I embellished a bit!) and that "we might run out of wood to heat the house this year". I guess I hit him in a soft spot, because he came over while I was at work and gave my 13 year old $30 and purchased more wood from my kid. He wants my kid to bring wood over every weekend and he'll pay him cash money. My kid is excited to earn a buck. I'm excited that my kid's excited! A teachable moment?!
So, I think there is honor among thieves. (sort of)