Saturday 24 November 2007

A real fire

It's getting cold here now, and one of the nice things about winter is the contrast between the cold outside and, hopefully, the warmth inside. Because we live in an old house we still have open fire places and we make use of them during the winter. The kids like sitting round the fire and looking into it, and there is nothing like a flickering flame to get your imagination working. Beats sitting round the TV, though arguably as John Lennon said, that is your modern fire, with the flickering images of it's own, though there the imagining has already been done for you.

11 comments:

lebanesa said...

ooh lovely. I am envious. our fireplaces have capped chimneys - so no fires. Do you use smokeless fuel or wood? I love watching wood fires, but any flames are comforting. No, I'm not a fire-raiser!

Bev said...

Frances, we use coal with a bit of wood and newspaper on top, and few fire lighters. It is a bit of an art starting a fire, even with the fire lighters!

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Oh I really miss having a fire place! The smell of the wood, the warmth and visual feast of the flame, the sounds of the snapping and cracking. We have a gas heater and while it is effective for keeping warm it is not the same! Even the visual appeal of stacked wood or wood in baskets...
I like your comparssion to the flickering images on the tv and of the flames. I guess that the human eye is comforted by colour and movement. I can tell you think about these sorts of relationships instinctively. I like the comment you made on my blog about the contrast of pears and lily being nature at play...I enjoy reading all your comments! and getting glimpse of your part of the world through your eyes!

laurie said...

we have a wood fire going even as we speak.....

dianeclancy said...

Hi Beverly,

This is fun. We have a fire place, but our chimney isn't lined so we can't use it - I have all my quilting material blocking it off (with wood in front too).

I love fires in fireplaces.

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Artists With Artitude said...

Believe it or not, we do too have a firplace in Austin. It's freezing rain right now and the temp is not getting higher than 30F. Brrr. Would you all like to gather in front of Bev's fireplace and chat about life and art? What a nice dream that would be:)

Debi said...

Isn't it funny how much we enjoy the seasons, even though we should be miserable?

Good point about fires being mesmerizing and likening that to TV. Interesting. But your take is always interesting, Bev.

Boy, I could use a nice blaze right about now -- we got more snow over night! But I have no fireplace, and no firewood, ....and not even recently divorced. So I guess I'll just keep the gas furnace going and turn on the TV.

dianeclancy said...

Hi Beverly,

I am glad I got to read the other post in my reader - I can't find it now. I am ignorant enough to have questions but also can make some naive guesses.

Thank you for sharing and I am glad I got to be part of it.

~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog

Irene said...

I love sitting by an open fire and they do actually sell fake fireplaces here in the Netherlands for people who are nostalgic. I am almost tempted to buy one. Almost! When you look into a fire, it is almost as if you start meditating and all sorts of deep thoughts go through your head. They are mostly of a very peaceful nature though, so it is good. I like the way the flames leap and bound around the wood and how the embers glow and light up. At the same time, there is that little bit of fear for the flame and what it could do to you if it got out of hand. Enjoy, enjoy. Think of me when you sit in front of it and contemplate the universe. Cheerio!

Bev said...

Yay, Sweet Irene! Thanks for your lovely comment!

Bobbie said...

A real fire makes you feel warm inside as well as outside. Alas, I don't have a fireplace but am thinking of putting in a gas one just to see an open flame a few times a year, and also to be useful when the electric goes in winter as it did once for 5 freezing cold days. Yes, Neda, wouldn't it be wonderful to get together and contemplate fire and art and so many other subjects.