I MAN! I MAKE FIRE!

We recently converted our fireplace from gas to regular ole' stack the logs and burn em' up type.  

Dave was really pushing for this.  We had our gas fireplace for a few years and used it a few times, but I always heard, "It uses gas! We're paying too much for it! We could use less energy!"  You know... rants from a man who is obsessed with energy usage.  He could even give you a good estimate at what gas prices will be and when and while he's at it, give his 2 cents on any given futures market.  He probably knows the price of wheat per bushel in Nebraska's market. I'm not kidding.  

Anyways... The fire

So we changed the deal over after I finally gave in:  

"Sure!  FINE! Change the fireplace over."  

Little did I know, this was the start of a magnificent obsession.   

Now, he comes home, kisses me, kisses Anna, kisses Asa and gets a smile out of him and runs down to be with his fire.  

"I'm gonna go make a fire!"    And with that, he is out the door to get the wood we had to buy for the new fireplace.  But, really, it saves us money.  Um, I think.  

"Whew! That sucker's hot!"  and "look at the fire honey! We got a good one going!"  all the while looking at me with those approval loving eyes.   

"Yes, hon, you made a good fire.  It looks nice"  are the things I say.  And walk away and shake my head at this man who is in love with making fires.  

Then I came to realize that this must be an instinct.  Men make fire to keep family warm.  Make fire to cook animals.   Make fire to hone fire making skill.   

The whole thing cracks me up.  But he's got a thing for making a fire.   But here's the best part.  He used the energy thing multiple times to try to get his way - to get a wood burning fire place.  The thing is,  fires suck the hot air out your house.  It makes your furnace work harder :-)  I just laugh and chalk it up to  "I MAN!  MAKE FIRE"