There are only 43 days until Fall

On phone with him couple hours ago.. he is chilling in the UP!!

that’s upper peninsula of Michigan

 

The last side of our Jotul got paint 12 hours ago. The stove pipe got shortened (we lifted our stove) painted and installed this morning. New gaskets, new glue to seal up a few spots...

Mrs. Sca laid it up this morning with a buncha pine. I was going to wait till Friday to cure-fire it, but couldn't resist tonight.

250*F and climbing ever so slowly. Its not smokin hard yet, but I have 2 fans going, one bringing air in, and another at the top of a window drawing heat and smoke out. The "after burners" just kicked in, it should be stinky here shortly.

Its been a few weeks of doing. I'm glad to be at this point now with time to spare should further changes be needed.

Sca

 

A July fire?

I hope it didn't stink too much.

 

It did stink. But with 2 fans running, didnt smoke us out. But we only got it to 3oo°F. It was 65 out, cool enough to keep it rather comfy in there. I will wait for a much cooler day to run it all the way up to 500° though.

But man the new glass looked good!

We enjoyed it though. I can't put a finger on it, but there is a real joy to firing that stove up. I think it's a feeling of security that we can fend for ourselves, or we have a leg up when things get interesting. Or we're sticking it to big oil. Almost like running the furnace or boiler, just to make sure it still kicks over.....

Sca

 

I've lost count of the days till fall. And I need more!
But I'm watching vids online of stacking and seasoning how to's. I'm hard into 'prepping for winter' mode I guess! Looking at others' storage for dry wood inspires me to create other storage solutions for seasoned wood up at the house.
We have weird bits of space here, not only could we stack wood creatively, but we could have fun with it.
Ever see holz hausens with windows and doors in them?
Anyway, not hurrying cold weather, but welcoming it by preparing for it.
Sca

 

Another day closer to bow opener

 

Countdown To Autumn (Fall) | In the Northern Hemisphere

 

Back in the 90’s next week. Ugh
First cool snap in the forecast and I’ll be using up some pto for firewood. Might be October before that happens.

 

'Least you'll have cooler temps then!
Sca

 

Pretty sure it said 60 days when i posted, now its 48 today.
Havent been keeping up.
Sca

 

HELL TO THE YEAH!!!

Though it's usually too hot and thick on opening day around these parts. But I go out first day out of tradition.

 

I heard two flocks of Canadian geese this morning while walking the dog. I haven't heard any all summer overhead. Getting more "dew-y" mornings too.

 

Being near a small lake, they're around all year.

There's a group that goes around in the spring, looking for nests. If eggs are found. They get addled and returned to the nest. Apparently, if the eggs are removed, more will be laid. Leaving the damaged eggs behind, prevents more being laid.

There's a town near here that has lost their town beach due to goose e coli. My town is actively working to keep our town beach.

 

Weather has been wacky this year so we'll have to see how accurate the Farmer's Almanac is this fall/winter. According to the almanac, "Winter will be colder than normal in the north and warmer in the south, with above-normal precipitation and snowfall." We've had lackluster snowfall the last two winters so hopefully we'll get a decent amount this year.

 

I noticed yesterday a couple large red maples up the road from me are turning colors at the very top of their canopies. We had several days last week where nighttime lows hovered around 50. Last year I remember seeing the leaves change early too, but it was caused by extended drought. With all the rain we've had this year, I'm hoping we get some really spectacular foliage.

 

Heartening to see a good snowy winter being possible.
Last few winters lacked in that department.
Also hoping for a good long cold snap....more to kill various fungal things, as well as various invasives.
Not much turning here in central MA, but keeping the eyes open.
Sca

 

How many days until Autumn (or Fall)?