The last family birthday of the year is today. My lovely daughter-in-law Dora’s birthday is today. That’s it until the end of January.
It used to be that I couldn’t start thinking about the occasion known as the “festive season” until after my mother’s birthday on 11th November. Now I can, but that doesn’t mean I do.
I’ve already blown it somewhat because there was something that caught LT’s eye on eBay the day before yesterday, so I promptly bought it for him and will give it to him as soon as it arrives, which may be tomorrow or the next day. I should have secretly noted it and hidden it away for the next twelve weeks – but “Should.” No I shouldn’t. Give when you want to and worry about Christmas later.
I was dismayed to discover that the place where I have bought kindling for some years isn’t going to have it any more. A 20kg feed sack (for kindling this is volume, not weight) was £4.75 and it’s almost as much for a tiny string bag from the petrol station. I will have to make enquiries. In the meantime, we will be rubbing two sticks together and it won’t actually work.
Or go for a walk and pick up twigs along the way?
Keep this year’s prunings for next year’s kindling?
Get some old pallets and chop them up?
Well, I have got several bags of twigs and bark, but that won’t last more than a couple of weeks. And I tried cutting up bits of wood and my strength isn’t up to it. I’m no good with a chopper, though it’s a different story with a pruning saw. There is a pile of wood that can be turned into kindling by Wince, but actually it’s quite an expensive use of his time. We’ve got several leads, though.