As the year progresses, the "burn pile" grows. Branches, sticks and twigs that have been blown down by storms, branches removed from trees due to our own pruning efforts are thrown armload by armload onto the pile. Day lily stalks and perrennial refuse from my flower garden that are too big to compost and prickly buckthorn that we don't want in the compost pile are thrown on as well. Burn those seeds! In early January the Christmas tree gets carried out and is placed next to the pile. Wreaths are thrown on top. Then we wait for the perfect day after January 15, the official opening of the burning season, to light the fire.
Today was the day. The conditions were right; 50 degree temperatures, fast melting snow but enough left to prevent the fire from spreading across the ground plain of oak leaves, and a spontaneous visit from Eliza and Brodie last night. What better thing to do on a Sunday morning after a leisurely breakfast then to watch a major conflagration? It did not disappoint. The four of us stood transfixed by the terrifying power of fire to both sustain life and eradicate it. The orange flames were a pleasure to my eye after months of looking at a stark white and brown landscape. The ritual fire marked the end of winter. The final "launching" of the Christmas tree, thrown on top of the pile, sealed the deal. We burned old man winter in effigy.
It is dark now but I can see the smoldering embers from the window. There is something so cozy about the remains of a bonfire. Flames long gone, grey ash is lit from below by orange embers too hot to touch. In past years, we cooked hotdogs and marshmallows with whatever children and friends we had gathered. Eliza and Brodie had to get back to their academic responsibilites before the fire had burned down, and somehow, making s'mores with David just doesn't feel right. So we are heating soup on the stove and reading the New York Times huddled around the woodstove.
Snow and Sleet forecast for tomorrow. Happy Spring everyone!
6 comments:
Wow....shirtsleeves. What happened to the big freeze etc.?
Nice to see a break and to celebrate! We're panting out here w/ 65/70 degrees and no real snow all winter.
No fires allowed out here! Only composting. And all the slash is picked up, ground up and composted. But of course....different climate. Fragile.
Wow, Eliza and Brodie have come for all of the exciting activity this winter- stacking wood, burning the brush... how fun! I'm still so pleased to have had the uncanny opportunity to meet him and approve! Love the photos of the flames- the last picture is my favorite.
One of the sad realities of living in an apartment in Hong Kong is that burn piles are a thing now relegated to my childhood.
There was something pulse quickening about seeing a season's worth of cut brush go up and disappear, seemingly into thin air.
Funny how with me having grown up in Taiwan, your blog from MA would still manage to resonate so powerfully. I can still smell the smoke and hear the crackle of the flames.
Where did your most recent posting go- the one with the fresh snowfall? I seems to be missing!
wow,nice to have such a loyal blog reader, Sylvia!
After the glory of the fire, I found that wet, black, pile of ash on a grey day gloomy. The contrast was interesting but then I decided it was just dreary, so I deleted it. Snow covered trees today and sun rising over the hill. Dog barking outside at nothing in particular (or is she scaring away the deer?) Have a great day!
Thanks for the validation that there really had been another post. Sounds like the sun coming through the snow covered trees and the ferocious guard dog barking outside would make two nice photos! Enjoy the extended daylight!
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