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A Salute To Firewood

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Chion/Colin%20McEnroe%20Show%2002-28-2013.mp3

We started thinking about this show because of a much-circulated New York Times article on a Norwegian prime time TV show, watched by one-fifth of the population there, about firewood. The show was inspired by a bestseller called “Solid Wood: All About Chopping, Drying and Stacking Wood — and the Soul of Wood-Burning."

In the first few minutes they got 60 text messages complaining about the way the wood was being stacked. Apparently in Norway, wood stacking is analogous to those barbecues where five guys stand around one guy telling him how to grill stuff.

But it was that phrase "the Soul of Wood-Burning" that I kept coming back to. Because when you talk to firewood addicts -- the people who pull a U-turn when they drive by some usable downed wood by the road -- they do talk about a different state of mind and a zen connection to where their heat comes from. So let's find out about that on today's show.

Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us@wnprcolin.

Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.