Skip to main content

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.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Starting a Journey

September 3, 2010 Originally posted How to Begin a Journey 1. Pick a destination or simply start. 2. Plan a detailed itinerary or just take the first step. 3. Pack everything or travel lightly. I am choosing to just begin. To leave behind the baggage, pick up a day pack, and go. Several nights before we moved to Ogallala, I was praying about the transition when I heard that still, small voice of God. In that moment, I knew He heard my Heart's Cry. He hears every whispered plea, every unspoken longing. If I truly sit with that truth, it humbles me. What courage, boldness, passion, and decisiveness I have when I remember: He never leaves or forsakes me. He provides for my every need according to His riches in glory. My hope is to encourage you He hears your Heart's Cry too.
2 comments
Read more

Picking up Rocks and Riding in Boats

I took a walk with a three year old young man today.   His mama was frazzled and he was bored.  "Grab your shoes," I told him.  He ran to his Mom to get his shoes on and ran to the door.  After fixing the shoestrings and the coat was on the way he wanted and I showed him the edge of the sidewalk and where we would walk...we were off. A dried piece of weed draped across an edge of the sidewalk, and I bent down to check it out.  He followed my lead and bent in half beside me.  I broke a piece off and gave him half and continued on our way.  Have you ever took a walk with a toddler?  And looked at things the way they do?  The broken sticks in the gutter, the ice and the small patch of snowing clinging to life are all gold to these little explorers.   A little encouragement is all they need to sift for treasure along the way. A smooth stone sat contentedly on the driveway of a house.  I stopped to admire...
Post a Comment
Read more

Letter to me with Young Boys

(The challenge today is to write a letter to myself of something I know now, I wish I would have known then.) Dear Heather I'm writing to you this morning to remind you how truly fast this time of your life will go and how you will long for it in a few short years. As I write this, I know you will shake your head fiercely and maybe even snort out a curt remark. May 1st, 1991.  You turned 21 in February and became a mom in April. You will be moving soon to begin your ministry. Right now you feel as if the key to your heart was placed in your arms just one week ago. You look in those brown eyes and can't imagine anything else in time. Hold on to that. In a few short years he will be a man and live far away. You will remember the days of him in your arms and will cherish every second. Stop worrying about what people think and about money and what you should do. It will all work out the way it should. You concentrate on being with....
Post a Comment
Read more