Awww - what nice lemonade you made! We had one of those behemoths when I was a kid but it had been converted to oil. That thing used to so creep me out but now I don't know why.

It was Mom's job more than 60 years ago to stoke the coal octopus one last time before we went to bed. In the coldest weather, it still meant a "five blanket" night between frigid starched white sheets. (Ever try explaining starch to the young'uns now?)

I hear you on "five blanket" nights! The first thing we did when it got cold was get down-filled duvets for all the beds. They make all the difference.

The furnace itself never creeped me out, but the basement did. It's still home to way too many spiders and cobwebs (and junk). I just try not to look.

Ah yes, the big dump truck dumping its banging load into the coal bin. Stoking the always hot bed of fire with the best chunks of coal to get the morning heat up to par. And a good chance to sneak a cigarette in the basement. Then shoveling out the ashes into the big tin tub to be carried outside, good fertilizer for the yard/garden. Snow covered mittens, boots and coats always placed by the registers to dry.

I've got three cats cuddled up on the grate right now. They might have to move over for me!

re: snow covered mittens on the grate, any recommendations to deal with rust on the cast iron? It can get a slight film or wash of rust from wet things. So far I've just been wiping it off, but is there something else I should be doing for its long term health?