A Political Addict Prepares for Winter

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 23 Oct., 2004 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

[Congressman Billybob]

Part of the answer to your question depends on cost and availability of fuel. With 22 acres of woods around me, I have an unlimited supply of wood. So it's just a matter of cutting, splitting and storing it.

For aesthetics as well as function, I prefer the Vermont Castings wood stoves. The fire is visible through unbreakable glass. With all but the smallest of their models, load it once and you will have heat for 8 hours straight with no muss, fuss or bother.

They have an "afterburner" process which burns the exhaust gases before they go up the chimney. As a result, they use half as much wood, produce twice as much heat, and produce half as much ash as a normal fireplace. If you're thinking of wood, be sure to visit their website for information.

Billybob

[bethtopaz]

Thanks Billybob,
I do not live around any woods - lots of orchards, but privately owned.
Hey, I wondered if you could give me any comfort - and perhaps many others, too. I've been on the internet all day and the reports of voter fraud and violence are intensely disturbing. I have never in my 50 years seen anything like it. What's happening to our country? The Democrats are threatening our peaceful and free voting process. Any words of encouragement here, Congressman? Please answer. Thanks!

[Congressman Billybob]

Yes, there are more reports about election fraud than ever before. Yes, there will be more attempted fraud than ever before. But do not be concerned. The Republicans are on it. Notice the case filed today in Ohio to void 30,000 bad registrations. (As I understand, these were new registrants whose confirmation letters or cards were returned as "undeliverable" from the address the "registrants" listed.)

The total impact of Democratic fraud, even if they get away with it, should not exceed 1%. So as long as Bush goes into 2 November with a lead of upwards of 5%, the lawyers and litigation will be irrelevant to the outcome. (I think Bush will be stronger than that, then.)

I do expect a spate of criminal prosecution of people involved in election fraud AFTER the election. But that will not affect the outcome itself.

Billybob

[grey_whiskers]

2. I do hope you have indoor plumbing...if not for yourself, then at least for the girls in your family.

Why for the girls? It's the men who allegedly suffer the black widow bites on their privates while using outdoor privies...

[grey_whiskers]

Sometimes I have a "medieval" night where my wife and I turn all the lights off in the house and have dinner (usually roast turkey) by candlelight with the fireplace roaring and some medieval (or early Baroque) music on the stereo, such as Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 or some Gregorian plainchants. It really sets a festive and relaxing mood on a cold winter's night. I used to dread winter but now I really look forward to it, especially since I now do daily walks outdoors in the woods around my house. I like the feeling of walking through the woods on a brutally cold day, feeling my ears and legs gradually grow numb, knowing all the time that I have a warm fire to come back to as I breathe in the cold, crisp air. The feeling of coming indoors after a long walk on a day like that and getting in front of the warm fireplace is indescribable. I'm taking my first delivery of firewood next weekend and my first fire is only about 10 days away!

You are a cruel man to openly brag about such joy to those of us exiled in Arizona.

Maybe someday I can move back 'up North'...(loud sigh).

[grey_whiskers]

Seven cords of wood, Congressman? You don't seem to have much confidence in the theory of global warming.

Of course he does...he's doing his part to CONTRIBUTE to global warming.
...one cord of wood at a time!

[Maria S]

"It's the men who allegedly suffer the black widow bites on their privates while using outdoor privies..."


So many come-backs to that one!!! I shall leave them all in my head, however!

[bethtopaz]

Thanks for the comforting post, Billybob. Hey, I still haven't gotten any feedback about the pros and cons of wood stoves vs. pellet stoves vs. gas stoves. I'm close to purchasing one for my house == this week! Thanks. Or - if you can direct me to a good website that would be great, too.

[Titan Magroyne]

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Congressman Billybob.

Partial answer to your question, as I've not dealt with a pellet stove. As was mentioned, availability of fuel is a major factor.

In terms of comfort, the sight and smell of a wood fire warm the heart as well as the hands. Does anyone in your household have breathing problems? Wood heat decreases humidity, sometimes to the point of discomfort. Keep moisturizers handy. You can fill a sturdy teapot to heat atop the stove, just don't let it boil empty. My Mom complains that when they heated with wood, it created more dust within that room.

Gas (propane): you can get used to the smell, but it still doen't smell great. As long as you have a reliable company to keep fuel in the tank, you're OK.

I can't believe how much I enjoyed hand-splitting wood as a kid. Call me lazy; these days I like gas.

[Twinkie]

Well, we DO heat with a wood stove quite a bit. Winter
before last almost exclusively. We have one of those
catalytic converter wood stoves that recycles even the
waste fuel in the smoke from the wood; but wood heat is
so dusty that we eased off last winter and used it less.
This winter we will probably use it more. Sigh. Nice
heat, but I dread the dust. So, we can relate to this
lifestyle; we also have kerosene lamps as backups in just
about every room ,also candles. I keep paraffin oil instead
of the usual lamp oil. It's keeps the eyes from burning
like regular oil; well worth the little extra cost. I
like a sort of organic lifestyle as I call it, a bit
nearer nature.

[bethtopaz]

Thanks, Titan. The gas stove wouldn't be propane, but actually hooked up to the gas line that gives fuel to my house furnace.

[Titan Magroyne]

Natural gas lines that run by your house? I've never used NG. My aunt and uncle use it for 'logs' in their fireplace. My uncle says he wouldn't take anything for those logs, either.

Do you still have heat when the power is out? My furnace is oil-fired, but no electricity to run the forced air means no heat. Luckily I have a fireplace for burning wood if I'm too long w/out heat, though I hesitate to use it because the firebox needs repointing around some of the bricks.

[bethtopaz]

I'm pretty sure I have natural gas - my water heater is heated by gas as well as my oven.