Sugaring, pt. 3

View from "Siberia"

Truck with 325 gallon tank

Students collecting sap.


As you can see from the above photos, sap collecting conditions have been less than ideal. On Monday we had snow for a good part of the day and then rain in the late afternoon. It was also the last day for the students, who go back to class tomorrow, so the crew will be much smaller going forward. Will be interesting to see how things go without them. Today was the last day for Mary, an alum, who was a joy and a hoot to have around. Thanks! The next few days look good in regards to weather conditions and sap collecting. It's been about 4 weeks since we first put up buckets, with a few more weeks to go.

Today, Anna (alum and fellow collector), asked which area or run was my favorite for collecting. I said Maloney, though I had to add that it was also my least favorite, as I managed to blow the transmission in one truck (it was only a matter of time) and get another stuck in that particular bush. It's actually two bushes and really the only ones that are in the woods. The other collecting areas are on the main campus of NMH, the old campus in Northfield, and in several peoples yards. Being in the woods is what I imagined a large part of sugaring would be about, and Maloney doesn't disappoint. I'll try to get a few photos.

You can find more info here and some photos here.

Barnyard Menagerie

Cam

Kate

Lil Debbie

Eliza


Cider House


Sugar House


The Barn


Looking east toward Brush Mountain (and home)


A few pictures of life at the NMH farm. The snow is deep and the horses and cows both seem to enjoy it. The calves seemed a bit unsure at first, but no longer seem to mind. I've been mucking out the stalls and feeding the animals in the morning, sometimes by myself and lately, with students. Not sure how much the kids enjoy it, but I find it very satisfying and always different. Nothing like a routine to shine a light on the subtle differences from day to day. It's a very small farm and no doubt very different from a larger, working concern. All told there are 3 milk cows, 2 heifers, 3 calves, 4 horses, and a cat. They all have to be fed and cleaned up after. The milk from two of the cows is sold as raw milk and used to make cheese and ice cream. Still have a hard telling them apart, but do know they have very different personalities.

It's pretty cold here today, 8º, with a predicted low of -20º tonight. Brrrr. Snow is in the forecast every day up to Thursday. Checking the forecast is a daily activity this time of year. Snug inside with the stove going (though it does eat up the wood!) and some soup simmering. I've been knitting hats and working on sewing a pair of pajamas. But I think I'm ready for spring.



On a different note. The above is a snap of my siblings. Waiting for pizza at Papalinos in Louisville. Damn good pizza, but the wait was a bit long. They certainly were doing a brisk business. Part of the appeal is the fact that everything is on view. By the time we got there, around 8pm, the dude shaping the pies had done something like 150 pies, and he came on around 5pm. Maybe I'm remembering it wrong, but that's what I think he said. Should have gotten a picture of the pie. If you do go, buy it by the slice. 2 slices equal about half a pie and, for some reason, cheaper.

Winter walk

Johnson Woolens doing what they do they best.

My street


You can just see the the top of the dome of the cathedral across the street.

Herringbone gloves.


Snowbound Land Rover.

Not sure about this.

Jeep? The telephone pole in the background is charred black.

Valentine's Day decorations.

What's this?

Peregrine falcon? with an afternoon snack.

All that remained.

Another dumping. 15.8". After this past weekend's storm I'd hope to be able to ride the bike again, but no such luck. Wednesday wasn't much good for anything but staying inside, cooking, movie watching ("Holiday Affair"), and knitting a pair of gloves. Stepped out a few times to get a sense of things and then back in. Today was bright and sunny, so I thought it might be good to take a little look see. I spoke to my friend Lynn who said she might walk down to see the river. Thought I might try to do the same, but never quite made it. But I did see a few interesting things. The Peregrine just topped things off rather nicely. Couldn't get close enough to get a good photo, and it didn't take a chance on me getting it's kill. Off it flew with dinner in tow.

28.5"

photo courtesy the Maine Historical Society

Digging out!