Not too long ago I went to a class reunion and saw the love of my life. At least I thought he was when I was in 9th grade. That was eons ago—but first love memories reside deep in the soft tissues of the young, often forming a backdrop against which all else plays out. First love isn’t easy to forget. Maybe you had a similar experience, or maybe your first love is still your love. Regardless, we each have a unique path to walk. Comparing the scenery only makes for a rocky tr

Whether by necessity, happenstance, or design, I’ve had a wood burning stove of some kind in all but one house I’ve lived in over the last forty years. Over time, experience has taught me a few things about fire. Building a fire from scratch, tending it, and keeping it going 24/7 is an exercise in observation and tenacity--couple that with a wise, softly speaking teacher…I would say fire can speak mysteries. My very first wood stove came as a gift. We had “upgraded” from a s