Ten Life Lessons from Maintaining a Wood Fire

 

Over the Christmas Holidays we set out to spend a weekend at Chez Mina’s Cottage in the Laurentians, Quebec, in below average freezing temperatures, no running water, and with only one reliable source of heat - a wood burning stove. We decided to put our stove to THE test. Here are ten life lessons we learned from this experience.

The Practical Stuff

Lesson 1: Stock up on firewood. Preparations are a must in the early fall by chopping your own firewood or reserving cords of wood from your local supplier before they sell out.  You can never have too much wood.

Lesson 2: Insulate the home well. Our wood burning stove passed THE test with flying colors by maintaining a cozy 24*C, but our home needs better insulation to reduce drafts from the windows and doors. 

Lesson 3: Stock up on blankets. It took a whopping 35 hours for the temperature to move from -20*C to 24*C, so we kept cozy with layers of blankets. Wool and fur are the best insulators for sub-zero temperatures.

Lesson 4:  Dress in many layers.  A thin layer of insulation on your skin from head to toe (wool is the best insulator) should be followed by several thicker layers.  In my 50 years of Canadian winter experiences, a heavy piece of fur is impenetrable.  

Lesson 5:  Always have a back-up plan!  Although some people thought we were insane to shack-up at the Cottage during below average freezing temperatures, we always had a back-up plan.  We checked with our neighbors in advance to see if they would be around that same weekend, just in case we needed help.

The Human Stuff

Lesson 6: Neighborly relationships are precious. Our neighbor meticulously maintains our private road which leads to the main road, and he surprised us that weekend by also clearing our driveway! 

Lesson 7: Disciplined team work.  To maintain the fire roaring, we set up timers, and kept a consistent schedule for the first 24 hours.  We constantly observed and fed the fire every 2 hours, even during the night. 

Lesson 8: Explore together to grow as a team.  When couples work together as a team while in survival mode to achieve a common goal, a deep bond of trust, dependence and closeness is created.  If you are seeking to re-kindle or keep the fires of the heart burning, read "Expressing Love in Modern Times"  and "Food and Seduction in Cottage Country".

The Sacred

Lesson 9: Fire IS God.  Our number one priority was the maintenance of this one source of heat.  All decisions revolved around it.  When you have nothing else, you bet we are going to worship and pray to the force that is Fire.

Lesson 10: Respect Fire. Being the Fire Keeper was one of the most dangerously exhilarating experiences. Think about it, you have a cast iron box, inside your house fervently burning wood all day, and reaching temperatures over 550*C!  Watching the language of the flames, forced us to build a close relationship with Fire while developing a profound respect for the element because we would not have survived that weekend without it.    


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The property is available for bookings in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  From fishing to sea-dooing, Chez Mina is a location to please those who enjoy outdoor activities to those who prefer just to re-connect quietly with nature.  Get more details about booking Chez Mina's Guest House.

For a nominal fee, you can ask Chez Mina's Kitchen to cook you up a vegetarian meal during your stay.  Try our favourite dishes:  Grilled Bell Pepper Salad and Baby Pumpkin Pie.

Book now while space is still available!  

Call or text at 514-531-8298.

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