Having returned from a wonderful visit to Vancouver and Victoria where we walked everywhere and enjoyed the spring-like weather along with the spring blooms, I felt I needed a sign of things to come, in the piles of snow ! In truth, most of the snow has now gone and the grass is a dirty brown and the wind blows dead leaves all around.
Our West Coast families live in lovely homes in charming neighbourhoods with all sorts of amenities and conveniences practically on their doorsteps. A longer stay is called for and I must put my mind to the logistics of a drive across the country, with Gabriel, for next year. In the meantime we are looking forward to July when the West Coasters come East.
Most of the indoor work is completed and because we have had so little snow in March it has been possible to get outside and do some grounds work, burning off dead grass and thining, pruning and clearing in the fence lines behind the farm house. It was encouraging to get the tractors working even if I did get one stuck in the mud and ice on the fence line, eventually freeing it by winching it out. It really isn't possible to think "garden" yet...our night temperatures have been dipping down to -15C.
We had a delightful visit from Sarah at the beginning of the Spring break in the schools and last weekend Vicky, Christopher, Ben, Oliver and Leo visited and helped me clear some brush from the fence line by the Main Barn. While walking in the woods we came upon a stand of Sugar Maples and Christopher feels they could be tapped for syrup. I think I could be easily converted to this notion since I fear that the Walnut saga is a non-starter !
For every forty or fifty gallons of sap one can produce a gallon of syrup. Well, we certainly have enough dead wood to feed the fire needed to evaporate the sap so all I need is buckets, spigots, mason jars and a large evaporating pan. The old incinerator may find a new calling !
We are in town briefly so I can take advantage of "high speed" for this rather dreary posting.
Squirrels, the bane of my life, at the moment. There is one particularly aggressive squirrel, hell bent on eating its way into the cottage. If you have any tried and true methods of defence please let me know !
Watching the boys kicking around their soccer ball inspires me to think that it's time to make a soccer pitch at the top end of the field behind the farm house. I just got the field requirements off the internet so will get a pitch marked out shortly.
Will try to get some more inspirations before my next posting ! Don't hold your breath !!
2 comments:
Hooray! I was wondering when we would hear from the Happy Farmer again! Keep us posted on the maple syrup front. Never mind the incinerator - you have to build a sugar shack!
We have trapped pesty squirrels live, and then driven them over the bridge to quebec!Maybe you could leave them on the Long Sault Parkway.
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