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just mud by Ron's avatar

My first two posts were about fire! We recently had our daughter and son-in-law over, and a spur of the moment campfire was started out back. Something special for sure!

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Samantha Gluck's avatar

Really? Now I have to go read them!

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Casey Williams's avatar

I've not been around a campfire for sometime but this calls back those memories with fondness. Now I want to start this tradition with my family! This reminded me of the reason I think men love smoking pipes and cigars together; the simple task provides an outlet for the men to converse in deep conversations normally bypassed. I think fires are similar, it gives men a task and depending on the time of year an important one. So therefore it's just enough busy work that other distractions can't be had (I'm looking at you cellphones) and the only thing left is communing with others.

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Samantha Gluck's avatar

I think it's a GREAT idea to start this with your family, Casey! And you're correct about it having a similar function as pipes and cigars (and maybe a little whiskey/scotch/bourbon) has for facilitating male relationships and conversation. And even if people just kind of hang around the fire and don't talk much (as long as there are no cellphones allowed), it will make a huge difference in the familial bond. It may take a bit, but you'll eventually begin to see a material difference.

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A Catholic Pilgrim's avatar

Lovely piece. I have a log burner in my living room, and there is something both hypnotic and comforting about a fire. I can watch the flames for hours.

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Samantha Gluck's avatar

Same here! We watch our fire (outside, or in our fireplace) for hours and the time passes so quickly!

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Jul 15, 2023
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Samantha Gluck's avatar

That's so cool, Teresa, having a bonfire at the beach! As many times as I've been to the beach (too many to count), I've never been part of a bonfire experience, nor have I seen one there. I'm going to put that on my list as something we need to do.

Grilled food has a taste you simply can't get from cooking inside. One time, as a young girl (under age 10) a terrible hurricane took out everyone's electricity in our small town. It was out for two weeks! My dad cooked everything on the grill during those two weeks. It was such a treat.

Yes, the Paschal Candle and all the other candles at Easter Vigil are awe inspiring for sure. Those lights shining forth in the darkness as Christ does for us always is an experience that Catholics sometimes take for granted, or at least they may not reflect on the Truth they symbolize so very well.

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Jul 14, 2023
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Samantha Gluck's avatar

Haha I knew there would be people who could relate, Ratio! Yes, it’s a wonderful way to burn away trash. My husband used to put random things in our fire years ago. I asked him (begged? 😉) him to stop and he did, thankfully.

But I totally know what you mean about “when things were still fun!” 🙏🏻

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Lawdog's avatar

When things were still fun: the Eighties! It doesn't seem that long ago, but I guess it is.

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Jul 14, 2023
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Samantha Gluck's avatar

Why thank you so much, Theron! Your kind words are very encouraging and I am grateful. 🔥

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