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Home Heater Turning


Living in South Dakota on the ranch during the worst winter in one hundred years gave my boys some of their fondest memories.  Since having electricity became a privilege savored (when the wind let up) new traditions were started.

The snow was so deep.  The snow plows worked tirelessly to try to keep the main gravel road open but each pass with the plow meant more snow piling up along the power poles.  Soon the snow was packed tight against the poles and one swipe with the plow could snap one off.  

Or the wind...  Even a little wind caused big headaches with feet of snow on the ground.  When a blizzard wind came then we knew for sure we would be without electricity.  Electricity ran the water pump up a few hundred yards  as well as the fan on the propane stove that heated our entire 1900 era house.  The propane man and the road grater were the heroes!

What an adventure for little boys to have blankets nailed to the doors so that just the living room stayed warm! Reading "The Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls by candlelight made us feel right at home!

It was a winter long slumber party with everyone's mattresses together on the floor.  And who knew that wearing snowsuits inside could be cool!

Those mornings when the fan worked on the propane stove then the boys would play in front of it turning from front to back like a rotisserie to keep from burning one side! 

Even after moving to town with central air and heating...I would find them turning in front of the vent enjoying the heat.  

I smiled this morning as two of my boys were leaving for wrestling and my 18 year old laid down with Oreo in front of  heating vent.  

Sure he might be an Allstate Defensive Lineman...but laying on the floor next to the heater with his dog...sure made me treasure the memories of my boys'  morning tradition of turning in front of the heater.

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