Arco (TN)

Arco (TN)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Cutting Wood - September 20, 2014



For this post inspired by Carpe Diem Haiku Kai ... I'm looking at "cutting wood".

Here in my Alpine region, though of course most of the houses are equipped with modern heating and cooking stoves, many homes also have a fireplace and/or wood burning stoves, which are put into regular use, beginning as soon as the first cold snaps, rather than turning on the central heating.

The sound of early autumn is often a concert of circular saws rather than chain saws ... since the wood that is delivered from the forestry service is usually from fallen frees or potting etc, that has been done in the woods nearby. (This is done here in Trentino to prevent forest fires among other reasons.)

Once the larger logs are cut down to size ... the sound of small axes can later be heard, cutting those larger chunks down even further into shape for the wood burning stoves or fireplaces. The smell of late autumn is burnt wood and lasts until last spring.



chain saws buzzing
in the early autumn woods
cleaning undergrowth

sharp morning whine
sawing down the firewood
early autumn chores

§

splintering logs
preparing Mom's stove wood
in early morning -
late autumn afternoon
corn polenta thickens


snowy evening
chopping wood for the fireplace
chestnuts for supper

© G.s.k. '14



8 comments:

  1. I'm delighted that you used "supper" as opposed to "dinner." I grew up using the term "dinner" to denote the midday meal. How did it start getting applied to the evening repast?

    Cutting Winter Wood

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    1. When I was growing up at noon we had lunch and in the evening supper ... dinner came up now and again, like Christmas Dinner ... I think maybe dinner is regional? You've posed an interesting question ...

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  2. I love all of these --but the tanka with the polenta is great -- both folksy and autumn, with memories --

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    1. Thanks .. I'm afraid I didn't wax too inspired with "cutting wood" ... the tanka reflects how a lot of people still pass their days here in Bolognano (in deed in Trentino). They're a traditionalist people and prefer to keep the older habits where they can.

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    2. Some of that is a good thing - as long as they're not trapped in it. :)

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    3. As you say .. and sometimes they are trapped in their traditions ... but they don't know it and are happy :-)

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  3. slowly roasting chestnuts .. you always make me wishing for the later part for autumn.

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    1. true ... and the fact is, until a couple of days ago it wasn't even autumn ... early or late ;-) But when I think of autumn I guess I go to the part I like the best. Of course, it's still too early for chestnut gathering :-)

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harmonious words ... like crystal clear water ... pure ectasy

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