When the first cold snap of the season hits town, logs hit the fireplace. The first hearth fires of the season have a smell that is just as welcome as the aroma of the first flowers of spring will be several months from now. Both smells signal change and usher in a season.
One of my charterboat passengers commented that we don’t have seasons in Santa Barbara. He is from the northeast. I assured him we do indeed have our seasons, for those keen enough to notice them. We simply choose not to live in a place with inhospitable seasons.
Guess I couldn’t help but defend our climate — as if it needs defending. He smiled and graciously allowed my defense.
The first comfort fires of autumn bring out an urge to gather ’round the fire and share … yarns, information, gossip, and best of all – jokes. Sometimes a family or clan gathering can last well into the evening, wearing down a once-mighty stack of firewood.
Sound like fun? Invite a few neighbors, friends or family over for an evening at the hearth including pizza or other simple foods, drinks, roasted marshmallows, and maybe even hot s‘mores.
I’m in a fix because I don’t have a fireplace and my forced air heater just broke. It is time to pile up extra blankets while I work on replacing it.
Meanwhile, I’ll be dreaming of a good warm fire. Maybe I’ll make a fire pit in the back yard, to enjoy a warm roaring fire. Outdoor firepits are a great place to spend an autumn evening. It feels almost like a camping trip, except with all the comforts of the home kitchen and bathrooms.
A ring of lawn chairs around a fire pit is a cozy arrangement that hints at kinship, friendship, and good times. Think back to some of your best campfire memories. Often those memories included a great storyteller. This is the best time of year to dredge your memory for favorite old (and new) stories to tell around a fire.
One way to get some good stories out is to take turns. Have each person tell a story from his/her past. Adventure yarns are the best; scary stories rank a close second. Given some time, most folks can recall a harrowing or fun adventure.
Swapping tall tales makes for a perfect evening around a fire. Myself, I enjoy telling fish stories about great battles and ones that got away. It puts me in mind of Mark Twain’s wise advice, “Never tell a fish story where people know you and never ever tell a fish story where people know the fish.”
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
