I love our wood stove.But, it's all love and roses. It takes a lot of work to maintain the wood stove's condition. It takes a lot of work, and money to get all the wood. There are lots of tools necessary to get your wood and care for the wood stove. There's also dangers with hurting yourself (I've broken 2 fingers in the past) and with fire damaging something.And yet, it's warm, looks nice, smells nice (usually) and gives forth all of that beautiful heat.Recently, my brother in Canada sent a type-written note my father had made some years ago. I don't know when it was written or why (we never had a wood stove in Canada) but I understand the deeper meaning of the note more than most.Here is my Dad's note:Wood Stove Owner's LamentItem CostStove, pipes, installation, etc. $399.00Chain saw 150.00Chain saw gas, maintenance 75.00Four-wheel drive pickup stripped 8279.00Four-wheel drive pickup maintenance 438.00Two rear windows for pickup 200.00Fine for cutting live tree in National Park 250.002 cases of beer 9.00Fine for littering 500.00Tow charge from creek 50.00Log splitter 150.00Doctor's fee to remove splinter from eye 50.00Safety glasses 15.00Tetanus shot for chipmunk bite 22.50Stolen CB radio 197.00Lost watch 25.00Side mirror - passenger's side of pickup 25.00Side mirror - driver's side of pickup 25.00New living room carpet 800.00Paint walls and ceiling 50.00Doctor's bill for neighbour's kid burned hand 35.00Doctor's bill for smashed toe while carrying wood barefoot 50.00Workdays lost (can't walk) 100.00Replace coffee table (chopped up and burned while drunk) 75.00Two butane lighters 5.00Government decides to require licence to burn wood 35.00Divorce settlement (out of court) 29,088.00TOTAL FIRST YEAR'S EXPENSES 41,198.50SAVINGS ON FUEL BILL (ONE YEAR) 72.37And there you have it!I haven't made it to the coffee table stage yet, and I'm still married, so I'm thankful. Let this be a warning to all future wood stove wannabe's.Enjoy the fire, and don't get burnt.