Reading all these brings back memories. In the late 60's, I remember sitting at the sewing machine while the little ones were napping (the big ones were in school) and listening to my cuckoo clock tick and the furnace humming, and feeling that all is right with the world.
The reason I felt so good about the furnace was that for 5 years and 3 kids I lived with no bathroom. Then another 5 years and 3 more kids with an oil space heater in the dining room and wood parlor heaters in the living room and kitchen. I had to "keep the home fires burning". I loved working the wood and the fire, but I sure was content when we put in the furnace. It used less oil and heated the whole house.