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Moving wood in circles

January 9, 2023

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Before

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

So orderly

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Absinthe hour ran from 4:45-6:15. We were ushered to bed by the blue.

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(Special thanks to Micheal Hobert for some of the photos above.)

Two Modes of Summer Solstice Celebration

July 16, 2015

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The summer solstice river pod

The summer solstice river pod

2015 Summer Solstice Fire

2015 Summer Solstice Fire

Fall Fire

November 9, 2014

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Fire on the Mountain

Fire on the Mountain

Fire 'cross the River

Fire ‘cross the River

Fire Up Above Us

Fire Up Above Us

Time to go home.

Time to go home.

Summer Solstice 2014: Big Fun

July 7, 2014

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The bonfire as captured by Joel Winstead

The bonfire as captured by Joel Winstead

What a blast the 2014 iteration of the solstice party was. Thanks for coming! And thanks to “electric triangle” for the new wrinkle…electric music at nightfall.

Electric Triangle as captured by Joel Winstead.

Electric Triangle as captured by Joel Winstead.

We kicked the keg (not bad for old people) and played acoustic music well past the wee hours into the pre-school hours.

Thanks for making the summer solstice 2014 party magical.

Gina and Gary play music by the bonfire (joel winstead)

Gina and Gary play music by the bonfire (joel winstead)

Summer Solstice Fire 2013

July 6, 2013

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Photo by marcus ranum.

Photo by marcus ranum.

As always the solstice party was a complete blast! Thanks for coming.

Kilts!

kilts