Sunday, December 24, 2023

Christmas Eve Day

 
 

Late yesterday we got rid of an ugly brush pile.
 
Papa Pea collected much of this debris in the fall and was waiting for the required 3-6" of snow on the ground before burning it.  He's been frustrated looking at this eyesore while waiting for a good snow cover.
 
Since we have nary a bit of the white stuff on the ground, he checked to see if he needed a burn permit to set fire to the pile.  Most of our recent days have been very damp and foggy with no wind, as was the day yesterday with rain forecast starting last night and going through Christmas Day.
 
He was told they had not been issuing permits but the weather was certainly appropriate for burning a small pile.  
 
The question then remained could we get the pile to burn! 
 

But burn it did, although the flames looked a bit weak at first.
 

It wasn't long that our voiced encouragement helped the fire to really get going.
 

We had some impressive flames for a short time.
 

We were happy to see the pile burned quickly without producing any ugly black smoke, and with Papa Pea using a pitchfork to make the base of the pile smaller and smaller it was well out at last check before we called it a night.
 
* * * * * *
 

We got this good shot recently of a brush wolf (coyote) looking as though he was posing in front of the trail cam.  What a healthy, good-looking fella.  (Gal?)
 
* * * * * *
 

I'll close this Christmas Eve day post with this quote that is our holiday greeting to all of you.
 
'Tis the season for kindling
the fire of hospitality in the hall,
the genial fire of friendship in the heart.
 
                               - Washington Irving
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
 
 

11 comments:

SmartAlex said...

Somedays our burn piles require a whole lot o' kerosene (my husband calls it Girl Scout Water) and a leaf blower! But I can only think of one time when it just didn't work. That is a pretty coyote. Merry Christmas

Mama Pea said...

SmartAlex - Girl Scout water, eh? I'll have to remember that one. A leaf blower would have been handy, too, but the long-handled pitchfork (and a long-armed husband) did a fairly good job. Happy Holidays!

Rosalea said...

We have a burn pile that has been there for years. Every time Hubby suggests burning it in the winter, I think of all the little critters that may have taken refuge there, and won't let him. Maybe some very wet and rainy summer day when they can safely find another refuge....
Candles are lit, carols are playing softly in the background the tree is glowing in the corner, and the aroma of supper is permeating the house. Family is here, we are warm, safe and want for nothing. How I wish the whole world were as fortunate.
All the best of the season to you and yours, Mama Pea.

Mama Pea said...

Rosalea - I have to admit we did see one little mouse beat a hasty retreat as our burn pile started to flame. :o( What a lovely picture you've painted of your Christmas Eve. Holiday blessings sent from our house to yours!

Michelle said...

Like Rosalea, I worry about the critters sheltering in a burn pile, but more so in the summer when little birds often fly in and out. Glad you got 'er done; hope you made s'mores! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Goatldi said...

Merry Christmas Mama Pea and family!

We still don't have open burns allowed without a permit. We will not be able to do that until January. And if there isn't enough humidity and rain may not for a bit. But it beats those hundred thousand acre forest fires.

I have a three year old huge burn pile from three dead eucalyptus two years back. Also some smaller piles that need to go. Thankful for my tree guy and a Cal Fire fighter who built all my fencing when we moved in. They should be ready to roll soon.

Brave new world fasten your seat belts.

Leigh said...

Merry Christmas to Mama Pea, Papa Pea, and Chicken Mama!

Nancy In Boise said...

Congrats on getting rid of your pile! Looks so sad without any snow for Christmas but I know the weather's been crazy with climate stuff. Maybe you'll get a little white stuff for new years! Merry Christmas

Lisa B said...

MamaPea, thankfully we do not need permits to burn brush if between Sept 1 and May 1. Obviously you need to consider the drought and wind no matter when and it is suggested you call the non emergency line just for a heads up before and after. I was able to torch a gigantic pile of brush and pinetrees that have been piled for 10 months. I still have loads more but each step is cathartic. I also burned several days in a row in the large "campfire" ring of stones as I have continued cleaning up the hoards of the previous owners.

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