There was a good article in some AAA magazine that I read at the breakfast table this morning that kind of summed up how I feel about burning wood. The author was dragged kicking and screaming back to Maine by his wife who wanted to return to the home where she grew up. The author, who was left to his own devices while plying his trade as a writer, found solace in the act of chopping and burning wood, enjoying the kind of heat one gets from wood and not by simply turning up the thermostat. I've never thought of the process in these terms but the author goes on to say that "firewood warms you several times througout the year". It reminds me how uninvolved I really am in the entire process. I don't even stack the damn wood. The price of the delivery includes the stacking and, as such, I am deprived of those other times alluded to by the author. Something to think about in the future. Something primal to look forward to.

I'm not looking to beat this chili thing to death but I've been thinking about it more and more lately. What amazes me about the process is that even though I make the same recipe each and every week I find that the slightest alterations in the ingredients, the temperature of the stove, the sodium content of the diced tomatoes I use, the kinds of beans I use, can make a difference in how it turns out. I began by insisting that Nancy not do the dishes while my chili was on the stovetop for fear that some of the soap bubbles might find their way into my chili. Of course, I was quite insistent that my chili should cook uncovered but I am no longer of that mind. I've stopped using jalapeno' peppers altogether and now use a salt free spice concoction that I buy from the local health food store. But lately, I've discovered that I like my chili to cook a little longer just to let it all meld as it were. Chunks be gone! Not soupy, but rather a solid slop-like consistency seems to suit me just fine. And when it comes to adding this, that, and the other thing, I am more of a purist. For those people who like to add everything but the kitchen sink, you won't be getting any input from me. Just the usual ingredients, thank you. Enough to last for a week anyway until I make the next batch.

I didn't realize how much of a kick Evan got out of my driving and how my shifting differs from that of his mom. We're talking about my six speed standard and this is all coming from a fellow yet too young to drive but beyond his years when it comes to offering his insights. You would think that a lad his age might be more circumspect in his comments given that we decide when he gets behind the wheel and when he doesn't. All this time, I was of the opinion that I was the smoother operator when it came to going from one gear to another on my way to highway speed. I don't bother with 2nd and 4th gears. I'm just not in them long enough to warrant the extra wear and tear on the clutch. I even worry sometimes that by not using those gears that it will become less easy to go into them when I really need to. Nancy is under no such illusion. But she also drives my car less so is less adept at driving a standard although she prefers it to driving her automatic. But Evan regaled us all when we were visiting Nana and Da last night with his rendition of not only how it looked when we shifted but how the shifting sounded. Be careful, young feller. Your day is coming. Just maybe not as soon as you think.