I gloat only because I have finished the task after a month of staring at my own tarp-covered pile.

When the subject of stacking wood comes up I find that even the burliest of hard-working men says, “Stacking wood – that’s good exercise!” And believe me it is. It’s bruising and exhausting, and a challenging technical puzzle. When I started to rush I caused a tumble and had to start over. So a practice in patience as well.

I am pausing to note my accomplishment before it all goes up in smoke.