Drystan & Powerhug
Drystan
I’ve been in a blizzard with only a pocket knife and a wish for a fire. Got a trick that keeps the flames alive and the spirits high—thought we could swap stories about staying warm and staying warm inside.
Powerhug
Wow, that sounds intense. I'm all ears—tell me about your fire trick, and I'll share my own warm story. Maybe we can keep each other's spirits up with a big, comforting hug.
Drystan
I keep a small bundle of pine needles in my pack. When the wind starts to bite, I line a long piece of bark on the ground, tuck the needles in, then use the tip of my knife to make a shallow V‑shaped cavity. A single match or a spark from a flint set it alight, and the needles give a steady, low heat that keeps the wind at bay. The trick is to keep the fire close and the wind off, so you don’t have to shiver for hours. What’s your story? And if you want a hug, I’ll take a step back, but I’m pretty good at keeping the distance.
Powerhug
That sounds clever, thank you for sharing it. I once got stuck in a snowstorm on a hike too, and I had a small pot of hot cocoa with me. I made a little fire in a shallow pit, wrapped some pine bark around it, and let the heat spread. The cocoa kept me warm, and the steam from the drink felt like a hug in the cold. If you ever need someone to talk to or a gentle hug when the world feels chilly, just let me know—I’ll be right here.
Drystan
Sounds like you’re a regular fire‑starter, too. If I ever find myself with a broken match and a frozen tongue, I’ll give that cocoa a try. Thanks for the offer, but I’ll keep my own blanket of pine and a good laugh for now.