Here are two charts showing the weight and available heat content of one cord of firewood of various species, the first sorted by heat value, and the second sorted alphabetically for easy lookup. The heat value measurement used is the British Thermal Unit, or BTU, which is defined as the amount of thermal energy it takes to raise one pound of water one degree F. One MBTU = one million BTUs.

https://chimneysweeponline.com/howood.htm

The top 3 woods are hard to find in PA, and of course, we have no Elm, (Dutch Elm's disease) but most of the rest are available.

conundrum:  We have lots of osage orange but I never see it as firewood LOL

This is sooo cool

MIDWEST UPDATE

BISON BACK EAST

Wild buffalo now roam east of the Mississippi for the first time since the 1830s, playing a crucial role in restoring Illinois grasslands.

where wild bison recently set hooves down for the first time in alm...

Does anyone else's state do this????

Georgia Hunters for the Hungry^SM

Since 1993, hunters have been bringing meat to the tables of those in need through the Georgia Hunters for the Hungry program. This successful program continues to provide opportunities during hunting season for hunters to share their harvest with those in need. Georgia Wildlife Federation has been a sponsor of GHFTH since it began by assisting in promoting the program and raising funds to pay processors for venison delivered to food banks.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Hunters interested in participating in the GHFTH program can bring field-dressed deer to any of the designated drop-off locations. The 2015-2016 drop-off locations are listed below.

Alabama does it.  The program is calle Hunters Helping the Hungry.

I like this program a lot and surely hope more states are involved.  It is fantastic that the hunters can help both the health of herds and the health of familes

Just letting you know.....I am pretty excited about the January 2016 Knife Magazine

Looks like it is going to be a good one Jan.

I am kind of  anxious to find out what that is on the front!

fully self sustained!  http://tinyhouseblog.com/yurts/yurt-life-2/

A Fire Piston in action.

Char Cloth

Great video's Jeremy!

Thanks John. It was a lot of fun making and learning how to use the fire piston.

Burmese python from Florida Everglades.

But he was such a cute little thing as a pet! It is unthinkable what is living there now New 'Super Snake' Python Hybrid May be on the Rise in Florida

As camping and outdoor season comes on, I was brushing up on my knots and thought you might like to see a few basics also

So there are a lot of states calling for the end of daylight savings time and the proposals run the gammit from make the entire US on the same time zone to just always stay on our regular time.  Although I have to say losing an hour of sleep is a little tough for a few days adjustment but I prefer having the daylight time in the summer.  What about you?

Since I am retired and pretty much do what I want when I want without paying much attention to the clock, it doesn't really make a lot of difference to me either way.

I enjoy being able to be outside later in the evening! It is my time of day and my dogs time of day.I have a difficult time with Winter hours and being stuck inside, I agree with you Jan....I like daylight savings but I do understand why some don't.

Went on a short hike today with my oldest son and my daughter's boyfriend. We got rained on a little, but not before we saw some great scenery. 

I really enjoyed looking at the pictures of your adventure, Jeremy! 

How did you manage to get so close to that fawn? And what is that red eyed creature with the large wings, pray tell?

I see Kaleb's finger injury is still being protected. It's coming along okay, I trust?

Is that a Colonial knife on your belt?

Cool pics!

Thank you, Ron. I actually walked right past the fawn and didn't see it. Carter was the one who spotted it. I t was surprising how long it just laid there, before it got up and ran away. I wondered if it was injured at first. The red eyed creature is a cicada. Kaleb is healing up well. Yes, that is the Colonial on my side. It is still my favorite knife to take to the woods. Thanks for looking and the kind words.

Thanks for your response, Jeremy! I thought that red eyed creature might be a cicada. But I don't ever recall seeing one with red eyes. It turns out it's a..."Periodical Cicada"...(see pic below)

Here's the Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodical_cicadas

Creepy lookin' suckers, aren't they?

glad to hear Kaleb is doing good, too! And your daughter's boyfriend looks like a Hollywood movie star! Y'all are some good lookin' fellas!

Have a great weekend, guys! 

We had a great time with the family this weekend. Went on a hike with my oldest son and a friend on Saturday. Went on a second hike with the rest of the family on Sunday and then up to Lake Erie to see the Marblehead lighthouse on Sunday. Ended the fun with a family (plus a couple of friends) canoe trip today.Below are pics from the first hike. 

Some great pics and family memories Jeremy!  Looks like you and the guys had some fun and actually saw quite a bit!  You sore from all that hiking yet?

Here are pics from the second hike, around an old quarry. and the light house.

Not sore at all Jan. I would love to do some more. I hope to do some more in the near future. I have a video action cam on order, should be here tomorrow. I want to get out and shoot some video, while hiking now.

Loving it!  I cannot wait until you can shoot some vids!

How sweet it is, my broster! Loving all the pics!

a new one for me I have not seen this before 

It looks a bit like overkill Jan  , sure it would get the job done though .

LOL thats what I was thinking also John but wouldnt you look "prepared" for that little ole plant 

Look what I found in my yard .. "Western Massasauga (pronounced mass-a-saw’-ga) Rattlesnake is one of the smallest rattlesnakes found in Missouri wetlands and marshes.

I take it as a sign I've a healthy backyard .. if this little dude can find enough to eat & survive. 'tis probably about a 10~12" (25.5~30.5 cm) in length. It appears .. they're becoming a rarity around here.

.

This one was released in the open compost enclosure

whilst

the canine kids stayed inside.

(increases his rate of survival .. greatly)

That must be a juvenile, D ale, because he doesn't have any rattles yet. How long did you have him in that plastic bag? Better yet, how did you manage to get him into the bag to begin with?

I have to tell you that this snake is fortunate you found him and not me. I would have probably dispatched Mister No Shoulders to the Promised Land post haste if I had found him. I do not like snakes! Especially pit vipers! 

Have to agree with Ron, no shoulders has an entire mountain to roam but not on my land!  He does have some rather unique markings!

Just a thought as fall camping trips get planned

Popcorn in a Beer/Soda Can.  Pour some popcorn kernels into an empty beer can (about ¼ of the way full), add some popcorn oil, and place the can on the edge of the fire. Allow the kernels to do their thing until the pops slow down to more than a couple seconds apart. Cut the can in half, and enjoy!

Spending a winter in the Yukon Territory in a van!

Well that is just a bit different LOL

ESEE just announced that it will be adding an outdoor cleaver named the CL1 to their 2017 catalog. According to the company, the new blade turns the traditional butcher’s cleaver into an outdoor tool worthy of the their name.

Can't wait to see that one Jan. 

If we get six more weeks of winter I am going to build an igloo on my deck!

If we don't? I'm going fishing!

Two good ideas John.  Although I like the second one better.

I am surprised we are not seeing more folks entering the contest here today for GroundHog day

Jan -- where can I find the contest info...?  I was just looking around for it, thought maybe it was just best to ask you.  :)

Looks like I better get to work on that igloo!

Just post what you will do with 6 more weeks of winter (per the groundhog)...I myself, am going to hope the next 6 weeks were as mild as this past 6 weeks

Looks like I'll be continuing inside the shop .. given the predicted weather.