Thanks for all your replies guys. I'm feeling better today. I pulled the chimney and buttoned up the roof with a contractor friend of mine yesterday, next weekend I'll pull the stove and hearth. I am thinking of a gas hearth. I have a nice period mantle sitting in the barn for just such a purpose. Cleaning every month is a great idea but difficult to do on a snow covered roof. I'm done burning. Boy is this going to free up a lot of time ! No more splitting stacking wood, hauling it to the house, cleaning the stove and chimney etc. On the way out of the house I did grab my '69 NR and my Jim Lea bass along with my brother in laws '64 Thunderbird. The fire department was standing by with hoses charged in the house waiting for the fire to spread from the chimney to the structure, thankfully it never did. Our house is a landmark, we had the town put it on the roster a few years ago, I have spent 15 years restoring the place, I can't belive I almost burned it down. I can not say enough about The Chili N.Y. Volunteer Fire Department, Thanks to them we have our home. Heros one and all.