Florida Fireplace

sourced google images

I love Fire! and have always longed for a fireplace. I did have one for about 8 months in a rental home, in 1963.

Fire effects my senses, the smokey smell, crackling, moving flames, glowing light and best of all the heat one side and cold on the other.

I asked Google, why are fireplaces relaxing?

The reason we experience internal relaxation when watching a “normal” fire is, according to the researchers, because our mind is drawn into the flames, and the longer this happens, the more we let go of the jumble of every-day concerns. In this non-distracted, peaceful state, anxieties are naturally reduced.

The sight and sound of the flames can be mesmerizing, helping to quiet the mind and ease tension. In fact, ancient practices of meditation often involve gazing at moving light, specifically firelight. Dancing flames have been shown to quickly allow viewers to enter a trance-like state that relaxes them quickly.

 

These candles from 2012 were like mini fireplaces. Until my senior memory moments ran rampant and I felt I might forget them and leave them burning at night or going out and leaving precious Beau home alone with fire hazard, the nook was full of candles. At the time of this photo, there were 6 burning in the nook. 

In Florida this is a perfect stand in for a fireplace, most of the above-mentioned touching of the senses can be had while starting into the candlelight. Nor removing of ashes or bringing in heavy firewood.

My favorite time of the year is November-May. Brilliant and hot sunshine nearly every day. Cold, not freezing temps and I give to you My Favorite Florida Fireplace. The last 3 days have been 48 at wake up and highs of mid 70's. The house is cold, at 10 am, my fireplace is lit, and I stand with heat warming by back and cold on the front and turn to get heat of the front and cool down the back.

I get the same relaxing feeling and the smokey smell, is Bob's sausage smoking, and one morning the sound of the fire alarm going off as he fried bacon. Seems the central heat kicked on to blow it down the hall. I smiled and said, now we know the fire alarm works.

I feel the warmth and while baking my front side, see gently swaying palm fronds.

Here is the view of my Florida Fireplace that appears to be a sliding glass door facing South in the tropical sunshine casting a glow over my fake Holly.

What could be better?  

Beau loves it to, I sit and read, he dozes and sleeps.