Weather: Get ready for a run. The temp just climbed above freezing and will stay there probably until Saturday night, and not just above freezing but into the 50’s. The forecasted rain isn’t ideal for a sap run, but I predict the floodgates will open nonetheless.
Fringe Run: At 32.5 degrees on Tuesday, all that strong sun on the crowns of the maples fostered a decent sap run. At 30 degrees Wednesday, the same strong sun on the crowns wasn’t enough.
Sap Sweetness: On Tuesday, a gratifying 2.7%.
Boiling Status: Tuesday I had thought to announce the first calm boil but I thought too soon. At 7:40 pm the filter press went inexplicably phooey.
Off went the blower.
Out came the white buckets,
Down to the outdoor faucet went the press plates on a wheelbarrow.
Over here dragged the hose.
Into pail after pail splashed the syrup from the pans that didn’t have a place to go.
Around the whole rapped Chops’s commands
-Loop the syrup through!
-Shut that gate valve!
-Line up the papers with those holes!
An hour later, I turned the CD player back on and the four of us took turns wolfing down some chili.
Music to Boil By: Anything banjo so far this year.
Could those be bear tracks traversing Morningside? They’re some big.
The Nebraska Knoll Blog 
the chili is what got me through the rest of that night. yum!
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From Kay – the photo of the sap reminds me of a Rorschach test of ink blots. Whatever your psychological states can be perceived in the images. For me, I see my morning espresso macchiato. (Not that I’m addicted or anything!)
To Audrey and Lew, From Ruth – Memories crowd in as I envision the hillsides which Lew writes about (previous blog entry).
Hoping for a good sap run this coming week. Best of luck. love Mom/Ruth
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Sun peaks through clouds
My aloud thoughts
Don’t doubt it stays
Soon obeys spring
The way of life.
–
KP
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Thanks for the intriguing poem, Kay. My favorite line is “My aloud thoughts.”
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