Oddly enough, I am a compulsive firewood hoarder. I think there might be a few here that understand. I cannot bear to see good firewood go to waste. Cutting, hauling, splitting, stacking and burning firewood is therapeutic to me. And, in the time of COVID, an excellent activity I can alone (although I do have a close friend that I work with from time to time). I usually have more firewood than I can use, so I give it away. A neighbor, now in his 70's loves fires but has had health issues the last few years and is unable to cut and split his own firewood. Every year he gets as much firewood he needs from me, delivered to his door (typically about 2 face cords). As long as I am able, he will get whatever firewood he needs each season. He always wants to pay me, I never allow that. He and his wife are big gardeners and make sauce from their tomatoes; they hook me up throughout the year with that and fresh vegetables (they have a greenhouse). That I will allow! My nephew just bought a house with a fireplace. Asked me if I knew where he could get firewood. I told him I knew a guy....... 2 face cords for him. Another neighbor asked me if he could buy some firewood for me for his outdoor fire pit. I told him absolutely not, but that I would give him some. About 1 face cord. This guy and his wife are big into canning and preserving; they hook me up with pickles, pickled jalapenos, salsa, and elderberry jam. A lifelong friend has been out of work for a while. He can't afford to buy firewood. I gave him about 2 face cords, last October and when I dropped off to him he cried. I cried. Told him to stop blathering...... The lady that lives next door is a widower (her husband was a doc and was one of the greatest people I've ever known; he left us way too soon). She just likes to have a fire a few times a winter. She gets all the firewood she needs as long as I'm on watch. As reflect after typing this, I realize I give a lot of firewood away. But it makes me feel good, I get stuff in return (that's just gravy, really), and most importantly I help people in my own small way.
Good on you for helping others. I help several older folks down the street from me. Its just the right thing to do and keeps me outside doing what I enjoy.
Gooder on you. The good Lord has blessed you with extra resources to bless others. Thank you for sharing with others. I hate to see wood go to waste too. We burn, sell and give some away also.
Years back I was giving apples to a buddies of mine's wife. Next time I had some she wanted as many as she could get to give to her relatives. Never a thank you or offer to pay for the relatives. They don't get apples anymore.
The best feeling in the world helping others. And when they give thanks in word or deed it’s even better. My buddy that carves is coming over Wednesday for some more dead oak and bringing Jane’s owl carving in return. Win win.
That's a great post and a lesson and confirmation for many on here! BTW, I am just like you that I can't stand to see good firewood go to waste. It's like a character flaw, lol. Everywhere I drive, I am looking at trees. I used to look for ducks, I love ducks, lol. Used to hunt like a madman, don't hunt anymore, just admire the ducks. We got many a duck in Louisiana.
As I was reading this I thought I had typed it. Nice job brother. Keep it up. It's a bit of a cliche but I always think of the movie "Pay it forward". It does feel good to do something nice for people even if you don't "get" anything in return.......but if they hook you up with some delicious sauce then that truly is gravy as some people call it!!! Sharing is caring. Hats off to you sir!
Helping people in need is the right thing always. Makes me a better man. What I will not do is enable lazy if I can avoid it.
The world needs more folks like you. I give it away or sell it way too cheap to friends. Pay it forward is what I tell them.
I'll tell you a quick story. I play guitar and have played several times in Grand Central Station in the tunnel near the Hot & Crusty that connects the 7 to the 4/5. Would you believe that all the people that looked like they needed a donation....those were the ones throwing money into my guitar case....and all the rich, well dressed people wouldn't even look my way.
I play Violin and have done similar things. Its amazing how many people look at your case and pretend they have no idea why its there. Some people may be clueless, but a few bucks and some change in your case should be a dead give away.
