Early February 2026
Snow was still falling, covering the yard and everything in it as the last light of day faded. Strangely, the accumulating snow made me wonder. Could survive as a dystopian character? The almost six inches of snow that had fallen would give me an opportunity to find out… sort of.
In the bright early morning sunlight, when the temperature was still well below freezing, I put together the rocket stove I have never used before. It seemed like a sound idea to test my survival skills with something I have never used.
I cleared the snow to the dead grass beneath and set the stove there. While hunting for dry sticks I made a note to myself for future reference to keep a dry pile of wood.
Turns out rocket stoves aren’t easy to start when you have big hands and the wind is blowing out your efforts. After multiple attempts I had to go inside and make a Vicks vapor rub (I had no Vaseline) and cotton ball fire starter. Is this cheating?
Success at last! Two cups of hot water in thirteen minutes.
Lessons learned: 1. Have fire starters. 2. Using something for the first time probably isn’t the best way to test your skills. Or maybe it is?
Runes & Rust 