Feeling Blessed

Gave a quart away yesterday; produced almost two today.

Next...

I've been asked by a couple of people to make windows for them. But no designs have been finalized. So in the meantime I making a mountain out of a wolf. Attempting a hide in plain site scenario.

Seventeen quarts

We have a short but very sweet season going on. Amazing. The more we share, the more we produce. Sweet. Very. Sweet.

Some People

Whether they know they can or not. Whether they truly understand their actions. Some people really know how to lend a hand. Thank you.

It all starts and ends within.

As Jeff Noel not only teaches but lives: You are the CEO of you. Live like you mean it.

Rowing Part Two

The Boss gave me a rowing lesson yesterday. Checked out and corrected my form. First 500m afterwards was 2:08.

What is the allure of rowing? It's exhausting. My heart races. My lungs feel pushed to their maximum expansion. I feel like I've exercised. This maybe the start of something long standing.

After dinner I slipped back into work to row more; racing the little clock. Row. Baby. Row.

The Challenge

A week ago a rowing machine showed up at work. Followed by a challenge: Row 500m in under 2 minutes and you will get a $100 bonus.

I've never rowed before, but I gave it a go. My slowest is close to 2:25; the fastest is 2:10.

This weekend when I was in the office to exercise and work on stained glass I realized that it's okay that I am slow. The important thing is I'm exercising. I'm exercising for me; for my health. For health is truly the real wealth.

Short And Sweet

If the forecast holds our sugaring season will be over at the end of this week. Three weeks, normally it's closer to six to eight weeks.

And as of yesterday the sap hadn't even started to run up in Montpelier VT.

Spring!!

There may be an epic Nor'easter aiming for us midweek. But this little crocus picked in Norwell yesterday is proof Spring is here.

This Morning

I took for myself. Exercised. Worked on stained glass. Met a friend for great coffee and catching up. Oh, and ate brownies for lunch...

If Sugaring isn't exciting enough...

An opossum just walked by me. Pretty cool to have some backyard spring awakening company.

Janey Appleseed is at it again.

A couple of days ago I noticed this baby apple tree growing among our house plants.

Grow. Baby. Grow.

I Love Facebook

For everyday I get to read quick yet inspiring catch phrases, stories and sometimes great videos.

And yes, the answer is TRUE. THANK GOD.

Get It?

Love it.

Do you see the kindness?

Monday through Friday morning I work dispatch from my boss' desk. He uses a headset which replaces the standard receiver. When I come in each day I see he has set up the phone for my use.

And likewise, when I leave his space to journey over to the realm of bookkeeping, I make sure the phone is configured for him to take off running.

Never doubt the power of the little things. For they do matter.

I Love This Picture

 

This is an oldie but goodie. Taken years ago.

My Costa Rican Spartan. Missed.

Have fun dear one.

Trust

He's just a puppy; six months old. A gentle and trusting soul. Who recognizes my car as I drive up to the house. And tries very hard not to jump up or mouth my hand while his wagging tail steers him about the kitchen.

He knows when he calms down from the excitement of my arrival that I will get down on his level. To pat him and talk with him. To have gentle moments.

But really the big ah-ha is: Who gets more out of these visits?

I Find

With children and puppies; it's so much fun when you get down on their level. The hugging and the rubbing are personal and not from a far.

FYI: Photographs taken at a eye level are also more captivating.

Eleven Years: Could there still be excitement?

We have been maple sugarmakers for 11 years. The process is straight forward; simple. You boil sap into syrup. First in a big pan outside; then when the volume is reduced from over 50 gallons to about one, finish it in a smaller big pan inside.

Yesterday started at 7:30 AM, later than usual. At 7 PM all the sap had been cooked down and what was in the outside pan poured through the wool filter. The flow was very slow. I thought we might need a new filter, but why? I'd look into that later.

Then setting the finishing pan on the kitchen stove I went outside to clean the pan. A minute later I smell burning sugar!!!!

There was a syrup geyser pouring over the pan creating a sea of syrup on and in my stove! First time ever I boiled over. But how could this be unless the syrup is finished, ie already thick enough? I test it; and sure enough, it was. We processed a large enough volume of sap that the syrup finished during the initial boil. The first time this has happened in 11 years.

The collected product total: 5 and 1/2 quarts. Not including the sea....

Some times are very hard

But remember diamonds are harder.

Some days are tougher than others.

Some weeks, some hours, some minutes; but truly it is not what we get from the world. It is what we give.

Life happens. Joy is what we make from it. In all things.

Full Throttle

The season is upon us.

On Those Tough Days

Surround yourself with joy. And keep your friends close.

It's in giving we receive.

If you want to see happy, be happy.

Does busier = stronger?

Family, home, daughter leaving for term in Costa Rica, festival play schedule in high gear, World Youth Day Poland, work, teaching, Boston Brain Tumor Ride, Beauty and the Beast rehearsals starting, and maple sugar making all make for interesting times.

That which does not kill us.

Makes us stronger.
It's true, crazy enough.
Grueling, but true.
Breathe

For Dad

Time spent worrying is time wasted.

Dream Too!

When Things Get Out Of Focus

You might need to just step back to get a better perspective.

Spring is coming.

One tap dripping. On the afternoon sunny side of a tree.

Boston Brain Tumor Ride 2014

Because what I do and what you do, and truly what we can do together, really does matter.  Boston Brain Tumor Ride

Who am I fooling?

Tromping out on the ice covered snow. Cleaning up the shed. Washing out the pan. Tapping the trees. Sugaring season breathes fresh air into a life. The more seasons the better.

It's Coming!

The sugaring season is coming. Be still my heart.

It is difficult

It is difficult to tease apart mistakes and fix the situation. But always we are better and more beautiful for the effort.

There are some days where I wish

I wasn't hyper sensitive to caffeine.
Thank you Maria for sharing this pix with me. Love you.

It's so small in comparison to the others

But to my friend Paul, it's really really big. For you Paul, with love.

Endless Winter

The 10 day forecast does not show any sign of a forthcoming sugaring season. In years past we would have tapped the trees 2 weeks ago. We would have been boiling this weekend. Some are saying when the warm up comes it will be fast and furious. Curtailing maple sugaring. Only time will tell. Until then we wait and stay warm.