One of my favorite times of the year with Mitch was getting ready for Spring. We'd pull out the old barrel and spend several days burning the limbs and branches that had fallen from the trees. Those were the days when we were still allowed to do it.
Mitch would fashion a wire mesh over the barrel so that the fire would pretty much be contained to it. We'd basically hang out there together talking about what we'd do with the garden that year. Mitch hated the cold winters so he enjoyed it as well. It was fun to spend that time together, and who doesn't like to play with fire?