Cabin Fever has Officially Set In

This is about the time of year that cabin fever sets in like a cold stone in my starved-for-sunshine soul. I start daydreaming of blue skies, green grass, and clear chlorinated pools. I hear birds chirping, squirrels chatting, and kids on bike rides outside the open window. Of course, none of these things are real just yet, but the hope is starting to creep back in that winter will eventually end and I’ll be outside sitting under a starry sky and the red glow of a warm patio heater, eating a grilled hot dog.

The advent of the patio heater has revolutionized heating outdoors. I’ve seen patio torches, outdoor fireplaces, and patio stand-alone heaters cropping up at the local swanky restaurants as well as the buzzing dives. It made me start to think that having a patio heater in my back yard might be a great way to extend those highly longed for spring and summer nights. A patio heater would be an easy and affordable way to take advantage of all the extra daylight. I might actually see my neighbors again if I installed an outdoor fireplace. We’d all emerge from our hibernation, hungry for the smell of fresh cut grass and grilling meat. We’d gather around the flames of a patio torch or cozy outdoor fire pit and talk about how good it feels to have the winter at our backs.

For now, as I sit in my cabin, all pent up with the fever I stare at the window and plan exactly where it is my patio torches, outdoor fireplace and patio heater will go.