Had a neighbor like that once. Lived in the house across the street. Mind you, this was in one of the suburbs of Chicago. He would grill many winter weekends. At times, he’d put the grill right by the side door, maybe a foot away. He’d get the fire going, put the meat on the grill and go inside and watch through the glass storm door. Then duck out to turn the meat before going back in. A truly dedicated griller.
There are strange things done, in the midnight sun, by the men who grill in the snow… The arctic scenes, are filled with screams, as the winds doth howl and blow, The northern lights have seen dumb sights, but the dumbest they ever have seen, was on the patio, where old Arlo, was trying to grill steak and beans…
This is when my screened porch comes in handy. I have to admit that winter grilling offers a small respite from SAD. But it’s tough when the temp is below 20F.
I read that story in school, out in the desert Southwest, and almost none of my fellow students could identify with cold like that, or those extreme conditions on that end of the thermometer. We all knew the extreme heat. The story is a lesson in traveling in the extreme cold, and what NOT to do ;-)
A great example of how our species is loosing its’ ability to survive without technology. Who with any sense at all would put a heat source under frozen water and not expect it to thaw and fall? Answer: Just about anyone born after 1960.
This is a classic! I first read ‘To Build a Fire’ in 10th grade and immediately got addicted to Jack London. Last year, I listened to an audio collection including ‘Fire’ while on a lengthy road trip, and was immediately transported to the Yukon. JJ deserves a Pulitzer Prize for this one.
The Commentary on this comic has been wonderful — better than the comic, in fact. I’ve learned 3 new words (filk, moil, marge), and a renewed appreciation for “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” A great start to the day!
If my parents had company coming and had planned on grilling in summer and it rained – dad would open the garage door, set up the grill just into the garage so it & he did not get wet, but not far enough in to be a fire or smoke problem in the house – and grill there.
One of the big deals to finally buying a house for husband was to be able to grill outside (the other was to a freeze that actually kept ice cream hard frozen). He grilled for a couple of years and then stopped – too much trouble to go through all the work to cook dinner for two people – say 2 burgers or a steak for him and a burger for me or hotdogs.
Years later when became 18th reenactors I was the one cooking over a fire – and not with a grill. I used to cook a meal over a fire as a demonstration for the unit and then the members ate it – Yum. Finally we had someone join who wanted to cook – he cooks now and I am back to demonstrating embroidery – I get to sit, it is cooler (often asked on a day in the 90Fs while cooking – “aren’t you hot cooking over the fire?” ) and I don’t come home reeking of smoke.
fuzzbucket Premium Member over 4 years ago
What was that title, “The Last Match”?
mddshubby2005 over 4 years ago
‘To Build A Fire(pit)’, by Jack “Grilling and Chilling” London.
thomas_matkey over 4 years ago
Had a neighbor like that once. Lived in the house across the street. Mind you, this was in one of the suburbs of Chicago. He would grill many winter weekends. At times, he’d put the grill right by the side door, maybe a foot away. He’d get the fire going, put the meat on the grill and go inside and watch through the glass storm door. Then duck out to turn the meat before going back in. A truly dedicated griller.
Sanspareil over 4 years ago
The Sea Wolf would have done away with you Arlo a long time ago
fredd13 over 4 years ago
I’d ask why, but I’m not sure he’d survive the grilling…
jr1234 over 4 years ago
Did the snow fall off the tree, the roof???
trainnut1956 over 4 years ago
There are strange things done, in the midnight sun, by the men who grill in the snow… The arctic scenes, are filled with screams, as the winds doth howl and blow, The northern lights have seen dumb sights, but the dumbest they ever have seen, was on the patio, where old Arlo, was trying to grill steak and beans…
nosirrom over 4 years ago
This is when my screened porch comes in handy. I have to admit that winter grilling offers a small respite from SAD. But it’s tough when the temp is below 20F.
Cincoflex over 4 years ago
more like to “To Kill a Fire”
sheilag over 4 years ago
I read that story in school, out in the desert Southwest, and almost none of my fellow students could identify with cold like that, or those extreme conditions on that end of the thermometer. We all knew the extreme heat. The story is a lesson in traveling in the extreme cold, and what NOT to do ;-)
Michael G. over 4 years ago
Well, that doesn’t happen often in Mississippi, does it?
Tyge Premium Member over 4 years ago
Nothing stops “The Killer Griller.”
Meledosia over 4 years ago
A great example of how our species is loosing its’ ability to survive without technology. Who with any sense at all would put a heat source under frozen water and not expect it to thaw and fall? Answer: Just about anyone born after 1960.
jlsnell327 over 4 years ago
That would be my son. Year-round griller in a place where we have serious winter. He builds a fire in the fire pit and grills away! Charcoal only…
HarryLime Premium Member over 4 years ago
Tyge: my wife recites this poem at least once a year, usually during a snowstorm. I reply by quoting Walt Kelly’s “Prince of Pompadoodle.”
mourdac Premium Member over 4 years ago
Need a pack of neighborhood dogs moving in for the kill to be a Jack London story.
NealSanders over 4 years ago
This is a classic! I first read ‘To Build a Fire’ in 10th grade and immediately got addicted to Jack London. Last year, I listened to an audio collection including ‘Fire’ while on a lengthy road trip, and was immediately transported to the Yukon. JJ deserves a Pulitzer Prize for this one.
robinroad.c over 4 years ago
Nicely done. Don’t die out there on the marge of Lake LeBarge.
Jefano Premium Member over 4 years ago
Has anyone linked to the story yet? Here it is online:
https://www.thefreshreads.com/to-build-a-fire/
hirshsonrobertastar over 4 years ago
Poet: Robert W Service
cuzinron47 over 4 years ago
It’s a good thing you’ve hone your survival skills. Now to work on those BBQ skills.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault over 4 years ago
And deservedly so.
k8zhd over 4 years ago
The Commentary on this comic has been wonderful — better than the comic, in fact. I’ve learned 3 new words (filk, moil, marge), and a renewed appreciation for “The Cremation of Sam McGee.” A great start to the day!
mafastore over 4 years ago
If my parents had company coming and had planned on grilling in summer and it rained – dad would open the garage door, set up the grill just into the garage so it & he did not get wet, but not far enough in to be a fire or smoke problem in the house – and grill there.
One of the big deals to finally buying a house for husband was to be able to grill outside (the other was to a freeze that actually kept ice cream hard frozen). He grilled for a couple of years and then stopped – too much trouble to go through all the work to cook dinner for two people – say 2 burgers or a steak for him and a burger for me or hotdogs.
Years later when became 18th reenactors I was the one cooking over a fire – and not with a grill. I used to cook a meal over a fire as a demonstration for the unit and then the members ate it – Yum. Finally we had someone join who wanted to cook – he cooks now and I am back to demonstrating embroidery – I get to sit, it is cooler (often asked on a day in the 90Fs while cooking – “aren’t you hot cooking over the fire?” ) and I don’t come home reeking of smoke.