We keep a pan of water atop the woodstove for a variety of reasons. It keeps the air warmer with humidity. But it also provides the necessity of hot water for dishes, mopping the old wooden floors, and washing our hands and clothes. I’ve become accustomed to the ways without running water now. It’s a bit more difficult. We take more trips to the spring well with our bucket than we used to. But it’s also simpler. There’s something about being so connected to an element that you must use it sparingly and thoughtfully that just makes the day seem more meaningful. I’ve become a lover of melting snow for dishes and washing my hair. My grandmother used to tell me her mother would do that. I can’t help but feel I’m making my elder- whom I never met- very proud.
