“Keep the Home Fires Burning (But Not Too Hot)”

May 30, 2011

Today’s Bit of Advice…

“Keep the Home Fires Burning (But Not Too Hot)”

It’s a short one today.  It’s been a long weekend (and lovely) weekend with much to do and I still have much to do before I sleep (in my very hot and muggy bedroom) but I wanted to leave you with this bit of advice.

It comes in two parts:

1.     Keep the Home Fires Burning –  This expression came into use during World War I and referred to families left at home while soldiers were off to war.  The soldiers needed encouragement from those at home that life there was pleasant and in good order.  Our country is still at war and there are many men and women who still need that type of support to keep going.  During World War I, the phrase was certainly more literal.  The person left behind at home had to keep that home fire burning or there would be no heat!  Today, the expression refers more to staying positive and supportive so our loved ones at war know they are thought about, prayed for, and ready to be welcomed home.  As we celebrated Memorial Day today, we remembered those who died serving our country but also those who continue to keep us safe.

2.     But Not Too Hot -  In the winter, keeping a fire burning on a cold day is a blessing.  In the summer, a fire may feel great on a camping trip when you want to roast some marshmallows or sit around telling ghost stories.  It does not, however, feel so great on an 87F day like today.  There has been very little opportunity to be “cool” in the last several days and we are looking like we will have at least two more days of temps in the upper 80’s before a cold front comes through.   We had a family picnic here today (outside) and we survived the heat, but just barely.  And my dear husband did the grilling which was obviously even hotter!  The grills were working overtime too, shooting flames all over the place and turning our hamburgers into hockey pucks.  We ate them anyway and didn’t make any comments.  He’d already been through enough.  I think our “home fire” was burning a bit too much.

On that note…. Keep the home fires burning for our troops and all those away from home.  And keep your grills under control so your hamburgers don’t turn to ash.  It’s just a good idea.

Hope you enjoyed the read.