Daily Chronicle 2022 - Take 2

I used to visit my share cropper uncle in a house that only had a wood burning cooking stove. But my bed was a feather bed in the kitchen. Nice place to sleep until 5am when my aunt started cooking.

We lived in a farm house in Kansas where you back the truck up to the swing doors to the basement and dump the coal, we had a coal furnace that was huge.

A house in Wichita where to light the furnace by a straightened coat hanger and lit toilet paper, turn the valve on after the hanger went down to the grate. The paper went out on my brother once, pulled the hanger up and forgot to shut the valve off… on the next try, a huge fireball came up to the ceiling and my brother lost his eyebrows and had cute curls across the top of the head.

We lived in another Cibolo Texas “farm house” that had been converted from a barn, no insulation, cannot remember what heat source probably electric that did not cut it. Every night multiple mousetraps were activated, followed by occasional squeals. A half mile hike to the county road to catch the bus.

I preferred the homes in Kansas, one for the heat factor, one for the entertainment value.

That happens.

I have not burned it since the mine closed. I am aware of the emissions from burning anything. My stove is small.

I went to my cousins house in the middle of Kansas, early 90’s. He had a huge metal fab shop that was toasty warm in February, the reason being is that he bought a bunch of railroad ties that he got for next to nothing. He had rollers outside and used a gantry crane with ice hooks to drop the tie on the rollers, lift the weight assist door and shove it into the sealed furnace.
The smoke from the stack was impressive…. iI asked him about the EPA’s view.

“EP what? Was his response.

“Never mind!”

As for burning creosote logs, it must create a challenge on not turning the chimney into a jet engine, but I guess he figured it out.

I hope y'all have the most amazing fishing trip ever. Regardless, I already know it will be.

Give your princess a big hug from all of us, Scott.
I think that I can speak for all, when I say that it was a blessing for you to share your story. Heartbreaking initially, hope, cautiously optimistic, and triumph.
A tree never tested by winds is easily overtaken in a storm and uprooted, a tree that endures the winds that comes their way is stronger and able to prevail.

Says everyone that ever has been a father.
Life is a learning curve, and an evolution in knowledge.

You have done well, Hoss.

Still, a briar patch hug is in order or Justin will unleash the goon squad.

Your not the only one I have not done the best job myself. Gone most of my oldest childhood and only made a change when I could no longer function. My youngest will be six this December and had only really had me home since almost a year ago. I am better now than I was. I am so very lucky for having friends from this forum to help me and support the change that should have happened years ago. I was like the frog that they slowly turned the heat up on and he sat there untill he was cooked to death. I was way to close to being cooked. Also had much support from my wife.

Day 1 of saying "F making money for someone else." 

My friend sends me these every morning before I wake up. She just beat breast cancer last year and 2 weeks ago found out she has Leukemia. When you're struggling yourself, but still inspire and encourage others, you're a different type of warrior. (We met years ago through a support group)

Scott, that is the best news I have read in some time. 

You manage to get that clove oil, John?

In my experience staffing agencies are the most screwed up companies in the world. Robert Half is the worst. The people who manage there are those that are unable to get a real job. Don't let their malfunction bring you down.

70s and humid today. Our concrete porch has had condensation on it all day, making it slippery as heck. The color in our yard is amazing this year. The sycamore looks like a torch in the light of the setting sun.