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Maple Syrup Making: Part 1
Yesterday I walked out the door and it was spring. The sun was shining, and I could feel the thick warmth from its rays. Spring means maple syrup season has come and gone. We (mostly Dad) make maple syrup from the broad leaf maple trees that dot the valley floor. Unlike the typical sugar maple, these trees give sap that makes a thinner syrup, though it still has the distinctive, natural maple taste. When the weather yields cold frosty nights and warm days, Dad starts gathering taps, hoses, buckets, and a sled to begin tapping trees. The fog hung low, clinging to the bare fingers of trees. The slushy scraping…
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Back to the Basics
Electricity—The impact of this single word is profound in our technologically advanced society. We rely on this commodity every day. It becomes easy and almost unavoidable to take the privilege of electricity for granted. We use it all the time. We use it when we take a shower, turn on a light, or cook a meal. It is everywhere. The electricity in the valley comes from our own (small), hydro-powered powerhouse, and the backup diesel generators. Though we theoretically have a steady supply of power, we experience frequent power outages. I count this as a blessing. It is a reminder of how great a privilege electricity is. The longer you…
