The appreciation for wood for heating and cooking

        Where I live, many people depend on wood for heating and cooking, even in 2012.  And a good wood stove is still valued and appreciated. So is the kind of wood, since like we humans, some are better than others. Like hickory burns hot, while softer woods, like pine or hemlocks, does not last long or burn well. It often makes too much creosote, for example.

            And now one old Family joke about how important wood can be. Back around 100 years ago my great-grandfather suggested to the local caretaker that he should help his wife collect wood for the cooking here. Well he responded as the old joke goes: Mr. Williams, I would not trust any woman with that much wood.

            Well that story just reflects how important wood can be to we humans. Even during the siege of Leningrad during WWII, it was a big deal. And how about even during the movie Dr. Zhivago, watch how much furniture was burned.

            I even remember reading stories about the patriarch of the Family that became the band the Cowsills had them burn their furniture just to keep warm during the cold season. Here's a link to one Cowsills song you may have heard:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl61-KMQAnE

            So wood heating, and cooking, is a big deal.

            And to many people.