Second Boil of 2021
March 10, 2021
Working from home during COVID has provided a lot more flexibility for making maple syrup. Instead of having to collect sap before going to work, or in the dark of night, I can wander out between meetings and tend to things in a more relaxed way. However, a boil day requires my full attention, and if the weather and sap conditions warrant a boil during the weekday, I let everyone know I am taking the day off. I like to get started at sun-up to fully utilize the day. I have all my equipment and tools prepared and ready to go the night before. I have also been making my own starter logs out of cardboard and recyclables instead of having early morning fire starting exhibitions for no one.
A mid-week boil in a normal year does not attract many visitors, but I can always count on Mike to put in a full shift at the pans. Mike has gotten so good at the process that I may even take a day off from boiling next season and leave him in charge! Eric and Mindy stopped by to visit the neighborhood and get some smoke in their eyes.
Mike and Eric
The eventual yield was a little more than one gallon.