Before I begin I must say I thought that there were very few people left that were still reading my blog. Had I known that my last posting was a little off I may have rethought my posting, then again probably not. To those of you that called me to chat, sent me an e mail or voiced your opinion to mom thank you for your criticism. If I offended you with my last posting consider this my apology, if I didn’t offend you just give me a chance.
Yesterday I spent some time on the internet trying to find out who the fire marshal in my area is in order to get a burning permit. You see I was kind of nervous after talking to a colleague at the VFW who had a run in with the local law. I have spent a few years burning brush at the cabin under the assumption that I didn’t need a permit. Just understand I always have a shovel or a rake nearby and a cell phone in my pocket just in case one of those “Hold my beer and watch this moment“ happens. For some reason or other I had it in my mind that when I asked at the courthouse they said I didn’t need a burning permit. Then again maybe I asked while there was still snow on the ground, who knows for sure.
I wasn’t in the mood to gamble so I decided it was time to get a burn permit. I was thankful that there was an on line application after my fire marshal search left me more than a little frustrated. What a deal $5.00 for a yearlong permit and never having to run to town and get a permit ever again. I filled out the application, located my cabin on the map and then I gave my payment information. I did everything right or so I thought. I stopped at the place in my road where cell phone coverage stops to make my call. I called the number and complied with the request for my permit number and hit the pound key afterwards. I thought the message said thank you but some burning restrictions are in place. The call was scratchy at best but left me with no further options. I hung up and backed up some to get the best of both bars on my cell phone. I redialed the number and went through the process again. Sure enough the message said some burning restrictions are in place.
Thinking to myself I said “self you must have filled out the online application wrong”. So I did what any man would do under the circumstances, yep that's right I used my permit to start the fire. Before you start on me about are you sure you made the right choice? Understand my fire was by the pond and it was drizzling out. If you’re worried about the permit I have other copies but I had marked up the one I sacrificed to the fire gods. This morning at work I found on line that there is a fire ban in place. Had the recording last night said burning ban in place I would have done the right thing instead of lighting up the night.
Some may call me a pyromaniac but the truth is I love being outside and I love having a fire going nearby. Fires seem to bring me back to a place long ago camping with my dad. Life was so simple back then being a little boy memorized by the fire. Hot dogs; marshmallows; s ‘mores; popcorn all cooked over an open fire who could ask for more? What a simple life it was with no thoughts what so ever about what tomorrow would bring.
Flash forward to 2011 and you will find me still memorized by the fire and chilling to the sound of nature’s orchestra. Last night the owls were hooting, frogs were croaking, coyotes were howling and then Bob made a rather loud unpleasant noise and all was quiet. I actually think that a frog croaked after the forest smells were replaced for a moment by last night’s fermented chili.
If you’re ever looking for the cabin just point your car towards the glow in the night sky. You will find me there with a smile on my face enjoying the moment.
Thant is all!
Dave
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