Chop Your Own Firewood
Among many other notable things, Henry Ford once said, ‘chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.’
I don’t think it’s hard to understand what he probably meant by this. On the surface, it’s pretty simple: chop the firewood once, and you’ll be warm as you do it. It’s good exercise and difficult work (at least after the first several swings). The second warming phase begins when it’s burning in the fireplace or woodstove. Wood burns, it gives off heat. Voila!
But I prefer to think there’s a bit more to this (or at least I choose to make a bit more out of it). From this simple task of splitting firewood, I’ve been able to derive satisfaction, some new skills and knowledge, and the pure enjoyment of a therapeutic effort that pays off with a few benefits.
Chopping the wood is great exercise, yes. I enjoy it greatly myself and have for several years (our home has a fireplace in it). We’ve ordered a cord of birch firewood every year for the last several seasons, and I truly enjoy the act of going out in the yard to split the larger pieces as we burn through the pile all winter to add some extra warmth and winter coziness to our beloved mid-century home.
I suppose, as a man who likes things that many other men like (tools, wood, fire, sharp things, the occasional cigar, hitting things with other heavy or sharp things) I get some…
