Sign of approaching winter

If you asked him, Mr. H. would probably tell you he loves having a wood-burning fireplace at our house rather than the more environmentally P.C. gas burning logs. Unless, of course, you asked him on one particular day every other year or so. This day would be the day when he takes delivery of a fresh cord of firewood - in this case, seasoned almond logs.
"Holy _____!!!!"

This year our wood was delivered by an almond farmer from the Central Valley. I feel good knowing that once they've passed their prime in producing those heart-healthy California almonds, the dead, chopped down trees are going to one last, good use.

Yes, we love those roaring fires on cold winter nights. They heat the family room to toasty comfort and there's nothing more mesmerizing than a blazing "real" fire crackling and popping as we warm ourselves beside the hearth.

Of course those 30-plus trips it takes with the wheel barrel topped to the brim - and those suckers are HEAVY - is no easy task but it has to be done to store a full cord of wood and keep it out of the weather. I wonder how he does it...but when I ask him he just says that it's "good exercise."

I'm no math whiz, but I do know that FIREWOOD + GOOD EXERCISE = ONE HUMDINGER OF A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE!