We recently returned from my moonlighting job in DC via Alabama. Yes, it was quite the detour, but one with a purpose: to visit friends we made when we lived there 26 years ago. Lenora is 76 now, which means she was about 50 when she and Michael were in college together in Montgomery. She lives with her daughter, Melissa, who houses a fascinating breadth of knowledge on her own. Lenora had a list of "chores" for us during our visit, one of which was to build a "rocket stove."

This is it:

Lenora had a stash of unused block, including an interesting U-shaped one that looked like 3/4 of a chimney to me, and what I found out today is called a bond beam block. The original plan called for 2 "H" blocks. However, they are mythical. Bond beam blocks work.

A rocket stove allows a person to make a hot fire with small wood. It provides a place for a pot or pan. And it is far enough off the ground for us elderlier folks to avoid excessive stooping. So, as usual, we brought more away from this visit than we had before we arrived. So good to continue to learn with Lenora!