FIREWOOD

    The hydro crew came through last month and cut down trees and branches that were blocking their lines. The trees were mostly Manitoba maples --  not high up on the list of desirable firewood. But already cut and trimmed into logs by the crew, all I needed to do was to cut the logs into firewood and let them cure for a year or two. All that free heat! My chainsaw also needed to be made ready for storage; the gas mixture in the tank had to be used up -- so I got to work. I stacked the last of it yesterday evening on a spot just behind one of the flower gardens that needed heavy mulching.
    I've been heating with wood now for many years -- I smugly enjoy seeing the oil and propane trucks going down my concession to service my neighbours (I can only imagine their bills). Wood requires some work, but it is economical and clean-burning, assuming that the woodstove is reasonably efficient. Mine is a beautiful Vermont Castings Resolute downdraft stove that I purchased used... little maintenance required and I delight in seeing the almost invisible emission from the chimney. I get my firewood from Camphill Nottawasaga's well-managed woodlot -- the purchase price goes to help sustain their small community.
    The only real problem is that it is hard to tear away from the pleasure of staying by the warm stove.