It's a grey, warm day at the farmette. Eleven degrees - practically shorts weather! Okay, not quite, but spring is in the air, even though there are still snow drifts on the ground.
The Russian invasion of the Ukraine continues, and it looks like the maniac Putin will not let up any time soon. More than 1.5 million people have fled the country, with many more to come. It's a colossal mess, but fortunately many kind people in neighbouring countries are welcoming the refugees.
Here in peaceful (ish) Grey County, maple syrup season is beginning. On Friday, I went over to the Thorntons to help out.
We loaded up Gertie (their side-by-side) with pails, lids and spiles and set out into the 50 acre maple bush.
Gertie is dead handy at this time of year. She has tracks that can plow through snow that's up to your knees. This year, brother-in-law Brian cut new routes to give the trees along the main trail a rest. Which meant we all had to do some serious trudging to get the work done.
While Brian drilled the holes, Erin came behind to pound in the spiles and sister Sandy and I followed with the pails and lids.
Here are the lovely ladies in all their glory looking extremely fresh and ready for the task ahead.
It was a perfect day for the job. Slightly below zero and sunny weather with not a cloud in the sky.
We started out at about 10:30 a.m. and by 12:30 p.m., all the pails were hung on trees. For old(er) bones like mine, it felt a LOT longer.
Here's me mugging for the camera on the way back home. Still laughing and joking, but with a wee tinge of pooped-outedness.
Sandy put on a gorgeous lunch of homemade soup with corn, ham and vegetables and an enormous charcuterie board. With full bellies and sore muscles we then had a wee nap. Sadie - who was a huge help - with her bounding energy and excellent stick work - lay down with the humans. She reflects how we all felt - tired, but satisfied.
The afternoon was spent back outdoors, walking the dogs and visiting with Trigger the horse. Oh, and stacking the wood that Brian had split while we were resting, in anticipation of the big boil down at the sugar shack.
All in all, it was a tremendous day, and I spent Saturday taking it pretty darn easy. Sooo grateful for the peaceful wee place we have here. With the way the world is going right now, we cannot take it for granted. Until next week.
Gratuitous cute cat photo. I honestly don't know how Wilma thinks this is comfortable. But she's sound asleep.
