I Made Fire!

Morning Routine:

Wake up to the noises of Africa – usually a squawking Ibis. (If you don’t know what that sounds like, you are blessed.) First thoughts – I’m cold. Must start fire. Out of bed. Insert feet into slippers. Shuffle to coffee maker – switch on. Shuffle to fire. Sit in chair that has been positioned the night before so that feet can be propped on the hearth. Settle in for the morning challenge:

Roll paper. Stack kindling. Light a match. Match goes out. Light a match. Match head breaks off. Repeat this process until fireplace is littered with cheap matches. Finally light some paper on fire. Watch it burn into nothing. Logs smoke feebly and go out.

So that was the morning routine of the last 3 days (after I suffered though a couple days with no wood for the fireplace). I did get one fire started with the help of a dose of kerosene, bequeathed by a caring friend who had me for dinner and took pity on my cold plight. UNTIL . . . Sunday, the day of the firestarting. During which the morning routine was the same except the fire part:

Roll paper. Expertly lay out kindling in a railroad pattern. Light ONE match. Ignite paper in several different spots. Sit back and watch the fire pop and crackle. Contentedly sip coffee and read the Word – and revel in my success. I have made fire.

And the whole experience was made all the more satisfying later in the morning when I met my neighbor Lori to walk to church. When I proudly announced my success of lighting a real fire – with ONE match – she said, “I know! I saw the smoke pouring out of your chimney!” So not only did I have a personal success, but everyone knows it! HA!

So that's my story. The rest of my day was lovely, going to church, meeting up with some ABO friends who are taking language class out here and making a big lunch together. My friend Linda is an excellent cook and allowed me to 'help' make pizza - except my crust turned out rectangular and her 8 year old daughter had to roll it out for me. But Linda kept telling everyone I made the pizza . . . sweet thing. The rest of the day involved more cleaning and arranging of my little place, some hanging out, dinner out (6 nights running!), and a little movie night with some of the women on campus.

Update/clarification on packages - I've been told the flat rate boxes arrive without problem as well. When in doubt, go flat rate. I guess. :)