Ok... I'm not a prolific poster here. Heck, I'm not even a blip on the posting radar. But I do get on and read a fair amount of the posts, my favorite forum being this - The Wood Shed.
I have and do learn a lot here about harvesting, processing and burning wood, and that alone is more than enough reason to be thankful for this forum and the good folks posting here. But I'm thinking some of my biggest enjoyment comes from the pictures and discussions here, and the fact that to me they represent and remind me of the enjoyment and satisfaction I get from harvesting and processing my fuelwood, the warmth and enjoyment it brings to me and my family over the winter, and knowing that there are others out there who feel likewise.
Like many of you, I really enjoy my time spent in the woods and in the splitting/stacking area. For me it is usually a solo endeavor, with time for solitude and reflection as I catch my breath or just pause to breathe in the fresh crisp air and listen to the faint sound of the breeze through the trees, or maybe spy that rabbit or squirrel doing their daily business off in the distance. It provides exercise that I sorely need and I find it enjoyable - unlike going to the gym.
I think about our predecessors who had to do this just to survive, without modern tools and backup furnaces that we have, and I realize how fortunate I am to be able to do this as an enjoyable and yet productive "hobby" rather than as a means of survival. I enjoy the process, and has many have said here, the warm feeling that I get just seeing those stacks of wood ready and waiting to keep us warm in the coming winter(s).
Many (most?) of my family, friends, and acquaintences seem a bit perplexed about it all. And that's ok. You either get it or you don't. I did run into a rural "neighbor" the other day who is into it also. We had quite a chat and it was nice. We concluded that we aren't crazy after all!! My wife gets that I enjoy it, though I'm not sure she understands exactly why, but she truly appreciates the wood burning process and even the cleaning and chores that come with it over the winter. So while she may only occasionally come with me into the woods, she gets it, and we make a good team. For that I am thankful.
Having an online community of other folks who "get it" is invaluable. So... I just want to say that seeing all the discussions and all the pictures on Hearth.com helps to warm me not unlike making and burning our own wood does. Thanks and keep up the good work, good woodspeople!
-AJ
I have and do learn a lot here about harvesting, processing and burning wood, and that alone is more than enough reason to be thankful for this forum and the good folks posting here. But I'm thinking some of my biggest enjoyment comes from the pictures and discussions here, and the fact that to me they represent and remind me of the enjoyment and satisfaction I get from harvesting and processing my fuelwood, the warmth and enjoyment it brings to me and my family over the winter, and knowing that there are others out there who feel likewise.
Like many of you, I really enjoy my time spent in the woods and in the splitting/stacking area. For me it is usually a solo endeavor, with time for solitude and reflection as I catch my breath or just pause to breathe in the fresh crisp air and listen to the faint sound of the breeze through the trees, or maybe spy that rabbit or squirrel doing their daily business off in the distance. It provides exercise that I sorely need and I find it enjoyable - unlike going to the gym.
I think about our predecessors who had to do this just to survive, without modern tools and backup furnaces that we have, and I realize how fortunate I am to be able to do this as an enjoyable and yet productive "hobby" rather than as a means of survival. I enjoy the process, and has many have said here, the warm feeling that I get just seeing those stacks of wood ready and waiting to keep us warm in the coming winter(s).
Many (most?) of my family, friends, and acquaintences seem a bit perplexed about it all. And that's ok. You either get it or you don't. I did run into a rural "neighbor" the other day who is into it also. We had quite a chat and it was nice. We concluded that we aren't crazy after all!! My wife gets that I enjoy it, though I'm not sure she understands exactly why, but she truly appreciates the wood burning process and even the cleaning and chores that come with it over the winter. So while she may only occasionally come with me into the woods, she gets it, and we make a good team. For that I am thankful.
Having an online community of other folks who "get it" is invaluable. So... I just want to say that seeing all the discussions and all the pictures on Hearth.com helps to warm me not unlike making and burning our own wood does. Thanks and keep up the good work, good woodspeople!
-AJ
Nice read.
! 
A C
