Consumed by Flames

If you look closely at the image of the fire you might see the Flame Monster looking off to the right.  That was random, I'll admit, but it just popped out at me when I posted the picture.  Do you see it?

What is it about fire that mesmerizes us?  I can sit and look at a fire for long periods and it is relaxing.  How can something so destructive be relaxing?  I suspect it is a remnant programmed into our DNA from times long past when fire meant safety, food and warmth.

I love a campfire and I enjoy campfire cooking.  There is an art to building a fire that will start quickly, burn brightly and build a bed of coals that will cast warmth for hours long after the flames have died to memory.

As I write I keep thinking there must be some deeper meaning that I can extract from this, but it just isn't happening.  All that comes to mind is the sound of insects and frogs along with the roar and crackle of the fire as I sit and contemplate -- yep, I almost said stare at the fire.  Contemplate conveys purpose and depth whereas "stare" is empty and meaningless.  Maybe that's part of the attraction -- to let the cares be consumed by the flames, allowing the mind to rest and the peacefulness of a spring evening to cleanse us as we become one with the blaze.  Yep, I'm thinking spring again....

Relaxing by a Campfire

This time of year I really enjoy being outside.  We decided last night it was time for a campfire, so we went out to our place north of town and built one and just enjoyed the evening.  The grass is green, the trees are budding and the weather was perfect.

Sometimes we all need the peace of a campfire.  There is something soothing -- mesmerizing -- about watching the flames dance among the pieces of wood.  It is easy to forget the "cares of the world" and to just "be" when you have a campfire to gaze into.

Last weekend we tried a quick "getaway" to Central Texas to view the wildflowers.  We were a little early for good viewing, but saw a few.  The trip was shortened and we had to come back earlier than planned.

It was a reminder that unexpected things can quickly change our direction in life.  We had stopped in Gatesville to stretch our legs and decided to take a few photos of the courthouse there which is very picturesque.  As we were aiming our iPhone cameras a pickup truck driven by someone in a hat passed in front of us.  It then circled around and came back to park right beside where we were standing.  The gentleman in the hat got out and walked around the pickup and it was then I recognized a good friend who also was just passing through town and noticed me on the sidewalk.

You'd better be careful what you do, because you never know who you might run into!

I guess the campfire was our way of getting away to make up for the shortened weekend the week before.  We weren't interrupted except for a handful of feral pigs that made a brief appearance.  It led to what I thought was a brief interlude of maybe 10 minutes while I stalked them, but was later informed it was more like 30 minutes.  The longer time is probably correct since my Fitbit informed me I had reached my steps for the day about midway through the hike.

Even the 30 minute hike was relaxing.

Re-charge

Throughout most weeks it seems that we are in a continuous, headlong rush. Out of bed with the alarm (sometimes before it goes off) at 5:15 to hit the shower and shave, grab a quick bite of cereal, check the e-mail and the news, then dress and head to work is the way most days start. They generally include rushing home from work (when I'm not out of town) to get ready to head somewhere else that evening. Sometimes supper occurs before, and sometimes after the evening activity.

Saturdays are different though. Saturdays generally are lived at a much slower pace. I don't get out of bed quite as early and breakfast is usually something homemade and eaten much more leisurely. I still have to check the e-mail and the news to see what's happening in the world, but there's no rush for doing so.

Sometimes there are activities on Saturday, but we have deliberately taken care to not schedule them to where it is rush, rush, rush, from one to the other. I guess that is the advantage of having only one child (now a teenager) left at home. It is easier to do that.

We often do the usual chores on Saturday such as cleaning house and washing clothes. But a lot of that gets done during the week so that Saturday can be more relaxing.

Reading is one of my favorite Saturday activities. When there is nothing pressing to be done, it is easy to kick back in a comfortable chair and read the afternoon away. It helps to wash away the stresses of the week so that I'm in a better frame of mind for the next one.

Saturday is also a good day for pursuing hobbies such as writing, or playing the fiddle. I don't care much for watching television, so while others in the house are doing that, I'll often find a quiet place to read, or I'll work on a hobby. As the weather warms, I'm sure that I will be doing something outside on those lazy Saturday afternoons.

It seems that most people that I talk to on Sunday -- when I ask them about their Saturday -- have just as hectic, and sometimes worse, schedules on Saturday as the rest of the week. I always ask them why they are so involved in things that they don't have time to sit and enjoy life occasionally. Usually they don't know why but agree that they would like to.

The restfulness is important to me. It is a way of re-charging for the coming week. I believe that it makes a person more effective. I'm not opposed to being involved in worthwhile activities, I just think rest and relaxation is necessary for one's health. We all need to slow down a little bit, or we will burn ourselves out much too early.