Wednesday, January 17, 2007
I am Afraid of My Fireplace
Posted by Tierney Cook
Photo Courtesy of Google Images
It is really cold outside, ice even some snow looming this weekend.
Yet I am still afraid of my fireplace.
Sure I am close to 30 years old; but I am afraid I will start a small fire in my fireplace, and it will spread and take out my condo.
My fireplace is gas powered. Each time I have tried to get a little flame going, anxiety comes over me.
There is sweating, increased heart beats, and the room starts spinning.
Then I put the poker down and run for my electric blanket.
I do admit, it's a shame that I am this old and have never started a fire on my own.
I am from Texas!!
Sure it gets chilly, but never down to 9 degrees, which is why I have never had to start my own fire.
I am thinking of taking some counseling to get over my fears, because with snow this weekend, and the January we have had so far; I should really start putting my fireplace to use.
Tierney
posted by Tierney Cook at 7:46 AM
2 Comments:
Rest assured you are not the only one afraid of your own fireplace. I was also nearly 30 when I started my first fire in my fireplace. After years as a little girl watching my dad start fire after fire and watch them rage through the night--I thought it seemed simple enough. So, I gathered my wood chips, newspaper, smallish logs, larger logs, and even had the advancements in firemaking such as a fancy lighter and starter fire sticks. Oh, and the added bonus of it being a gas fireplace--though I knew if I went that route I was sure to singe my eyebrows off!
So, I calmed myself--methodically placing the crumpled newspaper, wood chips and smallish sticks in first. --oh, did I mention my dad was on the phone with me walking through step by step? I ever so slightly created a pyramid looking structure and lit it. As my dad kept encouraging me--I blew on it--blowing out the 'fire' 3 times before realizing I was blowing on it too hard. Then, suddenly the flicker became a flame--which lead to a bigger flame and then a few separate flames that began to take the shape of a real fire. I was excited and proud of myself! I had made a FIRE, despite the fact that after minutes worth of blowing on it my eyes were red and watering profusely as masscara ran down my cheeks.
So, it may not be pretty--you may forget to open the flue from time to time (by the way, ALWAYS remember to open that thing-its pretty important from my unsuccessful attempts of not opening it), you may end up looking as though you have scaled the interior walls of the fireplace, or you may even need a few glasses of wine to settle your nerves--but, you can also make fire just as I did on that day!
It is supposed to get cold again next week. I am going to test it out and light my fireplace. I will keep you updated on how it goes.--TIERNEY
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