Dirty Little Secret

It seems that there is a bit of a secret among rural dwelling folks. We all love to burn things. What a bonding moment occurs when you bring up the subject of bonfires or burn piles. Ignition techniques are assessed, types and quantity of burn material is discussed, and injuries are compared.

When the burn and was lifted after the summer draught, we had quite a burn piles amassed. Brush cleared from the woods, more cleared logs, and a load of construction scrap wood made for a huge pile.

I was in charge of starting it and discovered the beauty of dried corn stalks for igniting a ripping fire.



This fire was SO hot. I started pulling off pallets and plywood to try to keep from burning down the whole place. Luckily, I kept hold of both eyebrows this time.

Fire is kind of pretty, isn't it? The brilliant tangerine color was so hard to capture, but fascinating to watch.



I wasn't the only one to be captivated. Brendan was stalking the fire the whole time. At one point the wind picked up and was wrapping over like a wave. Looking through it made it seem like Brendan was surfing the flames.



Momma was a big chicken and was hiding from the heat behind one of the many pieces of construction equipment laying about our field.



And when you're standing around for hours watching things burn, your mind starts to wander. And lo, and behold, this is what a pumpkin looks like on a smokin' hot pile of embers.

We are SO having a New Year's Eve bonfire! Pumpkins optional.