we didn't burn him

[perlmonger]

We were nearly killed in our beds last night, and (as far as I can tell) it wasn’t the cats’ fault. Though they are both subtle and very, very evil, so I’m not sure.

We’re in the habit of burning a nightlight every, for want of a better word, night in a fairly open-plan brass oil burner. With essential oils in it; you know the sort of thing. Last night, I set the thing going with some marjoram, and after reading for a bit and drinking our tea, we subsided into unconsciousness.

I was just drifting off when I heard a »»WHUMP!«« that I nearly ignored. I lifted a bleary eye, however, and saw that the top of the Ikeal box thang on my chest of drawers was ablaze in a being ablaze sort of fashion, threatening the collection of plush MOOSE!!! that live up there with immolation. Amazingly, the fire actually went out when I blew it, but only just in time as the plastic lighter by the burner was already perilously hot.

I can only guess that the lighter was gently exuding propane, or butane, or cat farts, or whatever its fuel is; the gas pooling in a cloud invisibule around the candle flame until the fuel/air mixture hit its optimum point. At which point it did what it must.

We decided not to relight the nightlight before crawling back under the duvet.

Indeed do many things come to pass.

Comments

[margotmetroland.livejournal.com]

Aiee! Am very glad this ended up being amusingly trivial and not in any way serious.

No more candles unless you have a supervising adult to hand!

[perlmonger.livejournal.com]

a supervising adult

Now, where would we be going to find such a thing?

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

how about no more lighters, as it's the refined petroleum that goes with a bang ;-) bring back matches!

[ccomley.livejournal.com]

Whilst I understand that it "isn't quite the same", I'd point out that there are non-candle ways of fumigating the sleepspace.

I'm convinced that of all the improvements in safety of the individual that have come over the years the biggest must surely be (pauses to walk across room and adjust damping of 8Kw "Franco Belge" stove - thus) the removal of the need for a naked flame from many if not all parts of life.

Check off one life, start over. :-)

[perlmonger.livejournal.com]

But I like fire. Yes.

[ccomley.livejournal.com]

Oh me too - did you check the link - but, if you want one you can leave unattended, keep it in a big metal box on legs. :-)

[kalunina.livejournal.com]

so, now I know where I get my pyromaniac-al ways...those from you and the love of knives from my mother.

and yes, I do realise that I have probably just scared everyone off with this comment, but really, I wouldn't hurt a fly. Honest.

[perlmonger.livejournal.com]

You expect me to believe that? Eh?

Also, I hope you're not painting...

[kalunina.livejournal.com]

I may have half painted the moose room (as bed isn't being taken away til Monday) and the bathroom but I have well-ventilated the house and had lots of breaks.

[perlmonger.livejournal.com]

:: peers severely over the top of his glasses

[ccomley.livejournal.com]

It's not the fly I'm worried about! :-)