As soon as I open my mouth about bringing Spring things in, Mother Nature tells me to curb my enthusiasm.
Snow falling on Cedars – My chicken coop pictured below with the cedar forest a very philanthropic woman named Elizabeth and her husband Ed planted many moons ago here on this little farm. It was upon her death at the age of 95 about 16 years ago at the estate sale that I first laid eyes on the inside of our 1835 farm house and the surrounding grounds and fell in love. A lot has changed here in the ten years we’ve owned the farm – including the complete resurrection of the house. One thing that is absolutely as it was – are the cedar forest on the left of us and Pine forest on the right, minus a few trees lost in storms. I love them 💗 they remind me every day of the thoughtfulness and generosity of the previous occupants of Grace – (This Old House) We’ve paid it forward, so to speak – by planting many sugar maples along the dirt roads on the property. Someday someone will enjoy the shade and glorious colors and perhaps the syrup made from the the sap of the Mighty Maples we’ve planted. We will at least get to enjoy them as juvenile trees.
Speaking of Maple Syrup – I’ve been collecting the sap from some of our ancient maples when the weather conditions encourage the sap run, and the boys have been dropping the buckets off at the Sugar House at Parmelee Farm. It’s balm for the soul, this community project. Residents of our little town have been collecting sap from their trees to add to the big barrels at Parmelee, helping to fill the distiller, they’ve been volunteering to fill and label bottles, some even dropping off cookies and snacks for the volunteer force to enjoy while they work. The Boyscouts and Girlscouts have visited to learn the ancient art of syrup making, as have science classes from the middle school. All sales of the limited supply of syrup are applied to sustaining the farm and sugar house.
That label being applied is one I designed for the project – I’m no professional, but I think it came out pretty darn good in the -winging it- department.
In these times of truly ugly politics, this community effort for a worthy cause is a beautiful thing indeed. If you’re feeling discouraged for whatever the reason, I strongly recommend finding a project or organization in a field of your interest that is doing something good in the world – no effort is too small, the commitment does not have to be huge, so don’t let work commitments and the lack of free time discourage you. It’s balm for the weary soul. 💗
Till soon, friends…
