October 28, 2009. Harper, Tx. Outside Fires.

I really do not know what to call them.  Are they fire pits or fire circles or campfires?  They are places to sit around comfortably and watch the fire.  We like them.  Yesterday afternoon Ken made a fire in our fire pit at the ranch.  It is a lovely spot, right at the edge of a large grove of live oak trees.  David brought a bunch of large rocks to protect the children from the fire and over the years we have acquired comfortable chairs and tables.  The meat smoker is near, also two large tables for dining so the area is a convenient place for meals.  And of course, we like to sit and watch the fire.  

This little area is especially attractive, because of the trees that always give shade and the birds that are always flying around in the trees.  Even when we have no fire I often sit and wait to see the birds.  Then, if you stay long enough, the sunset can be seen behind the trees across the road.  It is a place to talk and eat and drink.  I am often puzzled when folks comment on our fire area, and wish they had one too.   Perhaps they think it came with the place, but like everything else, it all begins with a plan of what you want, then bit by bit implement the plan.  In other words, start with the end in mind, then start in working the plan.  This fire area here is lovely, but often the County, due to the lack of rain issues a ban on burning, so no fires can be set.  But now the fields are green and lush so we could burn to our hearts content, and we did.