Dear Beverly,

I hope that all is well.

The snows have been steady this year. Just when patches of bare ground appear another snowfall blankets the area.

I came across this old photo of Cindy, Pam, Michelle and I with the sheep - Tiffany and Belle, and Audie the Lab. I actually remember the photo being taken. We only had Audie for a short time. I remember Dad had wanted a hunting dog and getting the Lab. It used to chase me around and one time dragged me around down near the chicken coop by by hood. I remember, being down feeding the chickens and coming out of the coop and seeing Audie up by the house. She came running down full speed tackled me and dragged me around through the snow by my hood– she was only playing but it scared the hell out of me.

Read more about the sheep

I came across this poem years ago. I have no idea as to the original author — If you do - please let me know.

Beech wood fires burn bright and clear
If the logs are kept a year
Chestnut only good they say
If for long ‘tis laid away
But ash new or ash old
Is fit for queen with crown of gold

Birch and fir logs burn too fast
Blaze up bright and do not last
It is by the Irish said
Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread
Elmwood burns like churchyard mold
E’en the very flames are cold
But ash green or ash brown
Is fit for queen with golden crown

Poplar gives a bitter smoke
Fills your eyes and makes you choke
Apple wood will scent your room
With an incense like perfume
Oaken logs, if dry and old
Will keep away the winter’s cold
But ash wet or ash dry
A king shall warm his slippers by

Author unknown

Eastern Red Cedar: Softwood, low heat output, easy to ignite, medium smoky, tends to pop and sparks quite a bit - fair - best for kindling.

Eastern White Pine: Softwood, low heat output, easy to ignite, medium smoky, few pops and sparks, fair - best for kindling.

Elm: Hardwood, low heat output, not easy to ignite, smoky, sparks little, not a great choice but if you must - must season for a very long time - relatively damp wood. My advice is to stay away from using it.

Read on for more wood species

Selecting firewood is not really that tough. Perhaps you contact your local tree trimming company and say “I need a cord of wood” They may tell you that they have mixed hardwoods - that is fine. Before you ask them to spell out what woods they have you may want to look around your own backyard as they are going to offer wood that grows in the area. You most likely get a mixture of hardwoods and softwoods. To request only a certain wood may cause laughter. The generally don’t sort.

If you have a tree in your backyard that needs to be taken down don’t have them haul it away but rather cut it up for firewood. Besides, you know exactly what you are getting for firewood and may get a nice stack of it. All in all you will get a mixture.

Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and softwoods come from coniferous trees. Each have unique properties to keep in mind:

Read on for a list of firewood properties

Buying firewood can be confusing at times. Just what is a cord? - What is a face cord? What is stove wood as opposed to fireplace wood? Hardwood, softwood or a mixture? Is it seasoned and how do you know if it is or not?

Dealers usually offer firewood by the cord: a standard stack measures 8′ long by 4′ high by 4′ deep. You must be wary and make sure that you receive full value. For example a face cord, often sold as a standard cord measures 4′ x 8′ x 12′ of 16″ or 20″ logs. Other names you may hear include but are not limited to short cord, stove cord, fireplace cord, running cord, rack and load. It is important for you to know just what you are buying; so ask questions.

Read more on buying firewood