Appreciate a Fire
Fire is one of mans’ oldest discoveries, dating back to the Homo erectus. Fire allowed our ancestors to cook food, and if they hadn’t, they could have all died from food borne illnesses, and we wouldn’t exist. Chemically, fire is just combustible material, exposed to oxygen, that reaches a certain temperature. But, the beauty of it allows you to sit in front of a fireplace and to watch the flames licking the wood for inspiration and to philosophize. To wonder if your ancestors looked at the same patterns ages ago. To wonder how such a simple chemical and physical change can be so pretty, so entrancing.
Contents
Steps
- Listen to and appreciate the popping and crackling sounds from the fire. Fires in fireplaces with fake ceramic logs and running on gas will not make any of those sounds, but you may be able to hear a hiss though.
- Watch the flames dance. The patterns are ever changing and delight the eye and mind. Watching flames can be meditative.
- Poke at the logs with a tong, keeping a safe distance. Look at and enjoy the sparks flying into the air.
- Take in a whiff of the aroma of burning logs. Do not inhale smoke that you can see; you can still smell it from a little further away, and it's not strong enough to make you cough.
- Take advantage of the warmth of the flames on a cold night.
- Make smores or roast marshmallows.
- Watch the embers glowing and twinkling as the fire dies out.
- Watch pine cones open. Dried pine cones that are still closed will open when placed in a hot fire. They also burn with a bright flame, due to the oils in them.
Tips
- To make some remaining combustible material in the fire burn when the fire is dying, poke the embers around a bit.
- For safety, keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby.
Warnings
- For obvious reasons, keep your limbs at a safe distance from the fire.
