When it gets really cod, we light the wood stove.
Move that wood
November 10, 2025
farm, fire farm, fire, red shed, wood Leave a comment
The reason we don’t burn fires in the kitchen unless it is under 40 is because it takes so much work to move the wood around. First you saw it up. Then you move the bog logs. Then you season it. Then you split it. Then you stack it. Then it moves from the res she to the porch. Finally it ends up in the kitchen on fire.
There are several cords in the red shed in a double stack up to the ceiling. Time for winter.
Back to the wood shed
February 9, 2025
farm fire, maple, stacking wood, tree, wood, wood shed Leave a comment
If you are following along at home, you may recall that we had to take out a massive chunk of our 300+ year old maple this year. We were mostly doing risk management around the 25 year old oak tree we planed here as a stick (which is dwarfed by the magestic maple).
We stacked the logs we didn’t sell up by the wood shed to cure. Come winter, we burned our way through the supply and then split the maple (and some locust too).
Moving wood in circles
January 9, 2023
animals, fire fire, moonshine, moving wood, wood Leave a comment
The thing about having a fire is that you work on wood a bunch well before ever having the fire itself. The kitchen fire is going all winter when it is below 40. Why that cutoff? Because first you have to cut the wood, spilt the wood, move the wood, stack the wood, move the wood again, store some on the porch, move some inside and then finally burn it.  See?
Fortunately, I have help most of the time.
In the truck again. Moonshine supervising.
The woodshed stack.
The porch stack with a photo bomb by my finger. Once again, moonshine is supervising.
“Post-pandemic” Solstice Fire 2021
December 27, 2021
fire, party, photography burning instruments, fire, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, video 2 Comments
The weather was iffy with heavy rain to come. But the night started out beautifully enough as the tiki torches were lit. And we were off on the experimental solstice fire on xmas edition.
The afternoon was balmy at 65 degrees
Who ordered this crazy weather? This has to be the warmest winter solstice on record.
The scene
Tikis wink on
The highlight of this year’s fire was a set of busted up instruments that Josh brought out. We used a 3/4 size bass (well, what used to be one anyway) to light the fire.
The logs this year were immense as the ash tree that once held the treehouse came down over the summer. One or two of the giant logs still remain.
The lighting.
Turn the sun!
Meanwhile back in the barn, the super dangerous Boilo was out and the keg was tapped. The food was plentiful and included both shrimp and carrot cake.
All’s well in the party barn
We started into a wobbly rendition of “let it snow” and the torrential rain pushed us first under the tarp and then up into the barn. Where we proceeded to play even more xmas music in sing-along mode and drink way too much boilo.
Things get a little hazy after that. But the sun has turned, so we got our main job accomplished.
Two days later, the fire is still smoking.  Thanks to all who came.
Summer Solstice 2019: Bodacious Bonfire
July 1, 2019
fire, party, photography bitter liberals, bonfire, BORH, concert, fire, gem, jackie, photography, solstice, solstice fire, summer solstice, summer solstice 2019, video 2 Comments
First a story of the lighting through the photography of Amy Barley.
Prepare to Burn
Burn
Light it Up
Fire Maiden
And that is how you turn the sun.
Things looked pretty much like this before we started
Then there were several undocumented hours in the river with the special beer float courtesy of Aubrey. We’re still not sure where he is.
The most popular guest of all was baby Cora. (Yes, that is the three McGraw brothers in kilts.)
Panorama by jackie
Idyllic
A video of the lighting.
This shot by my brother walt (at his first solstice) is one of my favorites.
From the bridge
Spectacular
When the fire burned down enough to get within 100 feet, we started the music.
Burning pile
Joel Winstead created some great sketches in real time.
Music by firelight
The fire
Gary and Gina
The the thunderstorm moved in around 11pm and we shifted the music to the barn. We played until 4am. What a joy.
Gary and Gina in the barn
Allen behind his hat
There are a few more pictures on the evite page. Thanks to all who came to the 2019 summer solstice fire!
Thanks for coming to the summer solstice!
The 2018 Solstice Fire
December 24, 2018
mixology, nature, party, photography fire, full moon, music, party, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, turn the sun, video, violin sword fight 3 Comments
The weather cooperated spectacularly for the 2018 solstice party. The rain cleared for a day or two. The moon was full. It was a crisp cold night with a beautiful sky.
Our ritual of gathering good friends from all walks of life every six months took place again without a hitch. Thanks to all who came to help us turn the sun.
Sunset before the party
This year, the fire lighting was cheered on by a rising full moon. The fire caught quickly and burned hard and fast.
Full moon and unlit pile
Lighting (time to run away)
Lots of people arrived for the lighting this year
Every solstice party is different in interesting ways. This year lots of people showed up for the lighting at 5:45. Then the BOILO got the party rocking. The lighting is always a sight to see.
The fire gets going
2018 solstice fire
The moon was incredible and lent a silver tinge to everything.
The barn was alight in party mode
This year the unplanned potluck food supply was great with chilli, meatballs, sloppy joes, fried chicken, and even krispy kreme donuts. The barn bar took a licking. Gonna need some serious restocking before summer!
Sorry about the terrible Christmas music in the barn. That’s just how it goes. At least there is a disco ball.
Marco. BOILO! There’s nothing quite like extremely local product.
A violin burns
Possibly the most ridiculous and surprising part of the evening was the violin sword fight instigated by Josh Henry (my trusty and talented violin and bow repair guy). Unbeknownst to everyone, Josh brought three dead rental violins to the party. So when we got them out and started sword fighting vigorously with them and then threw their remains into the fire, the 20 somethings who were already wondering just what those old people across the fire were all about, freaked out. They thought just for the smallest moment that I was destroying my actual violin.
LOL! Got you.
There was lots of music this year. It started early and went late. Thanks music makers! We love playing with you all.
Late night the music continues
Ember glow
I know, lets do it again this summer!!
Moonglow (picture by Amy Barley)
Turning the Sun 2016 (Summer Solstice)
July 4, 2016
dance, farm, music, party, river fire, gem, kilt, michael hobert, music, photography, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, summer solstice 2016, video 1 Comment
Before
A gorgeous Virginia summer evening was just what the doctor ordered for the summer solstice party this year. Food, friends, fire, and all night music. Thanks to all who came.
This year featured lots of next gens (over 30) wandering the property. Needless to say, the keg ran dry around 3am. And they ate ALL of the cookies.
So orderly
Absinthe hour ran from 4:45-6:15. We were ushered to bed by the blue.
(Special thanks to Micheal Hobert for some of the photos above.)
