Link to pictures from the last few days
I'm sitting in my front room, typing this on my Chrome Cast with "Haunted Histories" on in the other tab. There is a curled up dog at my feet, an empty glass of wine (soon to be replaced with some bourbon) on the bench beside me, a brimming full basket of chocolate on my dining room table (since I had no trick or treaters), and most importantly - a crackling fire behind me and to my left.
After a year of living here, I owe this beautiful evening to a number of things - to Hearth and Stove for the chimney work, to Earthstone Tile Works for the beautiful tile and installation work (and to Allison for recommending them), to Nate for recreating my wall, to Jen and Jon for the massive assistance in getting me firewood, and to the interesting combination of my parents for the fire starters and for giving me the "determined" personality I have that doesn't give up on projects - even if it takes awhile and even if they sound a little crazy.
After all the time and money for this particular project, I'm very aware that it may seem ridiculous to some people. After all... a fire can seem like a small thing, especially in the era where we don't really need it for heat in most places. I have central air and gas heat. I'm not going to freeze to death.
However, to me a fire is hospitality, warmth, love, and life. It is where the creative spirit and the destructive force of the world unite. It represents the core of what I hope my home is to those I choose to invite into it.
With all the legitimate and real problems in the world, it may seem trivial or even selfish to put energy into any of our personal projects. I may not ever be able to do anything about those greater problems, but if I can share of myself and my home with people I love, it will be adding something to the cosmos and to my personal relationships. The completion of this project helps me towards that goal.
Happy Halloween!
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