I love sugaring, but I am unsettled because of how early it is. Having only sugared for a few years, I do not have a lot of experience upon which to base the beginning and end of the season. I just sort of feel it out. This year, we haven't really had much of a Winter. In fact, there have been very few cold days with average temperatures. We have not burned a lot of wood. I guess that with my developing awareness comes an intuitive sense of right and wrong. This feels wrong.
Of course, the flip side is that I must use this awareness to prepare in whatever way is necessary. So, if it is time to tap, I tap to store the food for the coming year. I am anxious to get into the woods and see if there are other signs of an early Spring. Every year, I hope to increase our foraging and this year is no exception. I am more eager this year to expand my herbal beer brewing. To do so, I must pay attention to the signs and the changing weather.
In order to help those of you who are just beginning, or wish to expand, your own personal MooseBoots journey, I am offering my first ever give-away in celebration of my 104th post (yes, I skipped announcing my 100th). I am giving away a copy of Wendy's Aunt Connie's and Uncle Arnold Krochmal's book, A Field Guide To Medicinal Plants. Arnold and Connie figured prominently as authors during the back to the land movement and published many books back in the 70's and 80's. Connie is a Master Gardener and general plant expert. It is a bit ironic that Wendy and I are now treading a similar path so many years later. This particular book is currently out of print. To enter, simply leave a comment. I will probably have to borrow Wendy's highly technical random selection machine to pick the winner on February 29th - Leap Day!
I love books! Haha
ReplyDeleteBen, I should hope so. And, welcome to MooseBoots!
ReplyDeleteooh, pick me, pick me!!!!
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I was reading an article about the unsettling new trend of needing to tap maple trees earlier and earlier. There is a real possibility that the climate needed for proper sap movement will move further and further north, and when the geology doesn't match the growing conditions for the maples, it will limit the amount produced. (ie. the soil too far north will not be good for maples, but anything further south is too warm...)
It has been a "non-winter" here, too, other than the weather we had this weekend.
Thanks, Deus Ex Machina!
Julie, you will have the same chance as everyone. We'll just have to wait a month to find out.
ReplyDeleteWendy and I were talking about that trend today. Neither of us have read anything about it ... we are still working from our guts. In particular, we were talking about the native species that will no longer be "comfortable" with the temperature range. Of course, what will wnat to grow here ... the temperature range has shitfed, but the length of days has remained the same. As I said in the post, I am feeling very uneasy about the whole thing.
1) Please enter me in the drawing too - this sounds like an incredibly useful book. And thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDelete2) Even here on Okinawa I've noticed changes in the climate just in the few years we've lived here, particularly with the way the typhoons feel as they move in - or the way they would brew for days and then suddenly just dissipate. I read a few months back about the maples as Julie mentions above and I have to say, as someone who dearly loves maple syrup, it struck a chord with me. To hear (read) that the "guts" of people whose opinions I trust (vs just some random news article) are seeing and feeling the same results, in a very first person way, is definitely cause for concern. Hopefully Mother Nature will get things worked out, and we silly humans won't keep standing in her way.
Melonie, you are in the running. You are welcome.
ReplyDeleteI did not see the article about the maples. However, I wonder why more people are not talking about this. We all are feeling the changes, but most people that I interact with on a daily basis simply comment how they are glad for the warm weather and the lack of snow. Perhaps, they are turning a blind eye, can't see the consequences, or feel that they can't do anything about it and, so, don't dwell on it.
I want to move back to northern Wisconsin...though I've been told from relatives who still live in that area that this winter has been relatively mild. In general, their temps have only averaged four degrees lower than ours (in Illinois).
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds interesting - please add me to the drawing!
Oh Oh Oh! Count me in!!!
ReplyDelete(is it illegal to enter more than once? ;)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great - and how neat about your connection to it! (by the way, I got here via Surviving the Suburbs) :)
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing!!
Please sign me up for your drawing. On a related note we haven't really had any winter down here in Texas either. We don't get it as bad down here as ya'll do up there but we haven't even gotten the piddling little bit of cold we usually have by now. We do usually get a good hefty snow in February but the forecasters aren't seeing it coming anytime soon. I'm half expecting the trees to bud soon.
ReplyDeleteI'd liek to be in the highly technical random selecting machine. and in addition I would have to agree that there is somethign wrong this winter. Our local ski resort has had the latest opening ever. (I don't ski, but I do like going up there and exploring the winter wonder land.) I hope we still have a few good snow storms before it becomes too springlike over here.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the great blogs and add me to the give-a-way pot. Here in the eastern edge of the Rockies we have also experiencing weird, warm weather all season. There is an uneasy feeling of anxiety as I am watching the garlic come up way too soon and the birds collecting nesting material. Keep speading the word on self sufficiency. Kate in Colorado
ReplyDeletePatricialynn, you are entered. There seems to be a very common refrain in the unsettled weather all over the US and Canada.
ReplyDeleteRowan, you are welcome to enter. Feel free to comment as much as you'd like ... your entry paper will get bigger, but you still only get one piece of paper.
ReplyDeleteMarygee, welcome to MooseBoots, from my lovely wife's blog. The world is indeed a small place.
ReplyDeleteWoolysheep, consider yourself entered. I would not doubt you'll see buds soon from all of the comments here.
ReplyDeleteJoe Terry, I am not sure I can place you in the machine, but a slip of paper with your name on it will be. I don't think we are done with the snow here either, but Spring snow storms are not that uncommon here. It just feels like they will be earlier than normal.
ReplyDeleteKate In Colorado, you are in. I will keep traveling this MooseBoots path and sharing my bits of wisdom. Feel free to come along.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered in the drawing for the book. I have a long-standing interest in medicinal plants. Thanks, and congratulations on your 100 (and 4) blog posts!
ReplyDeleteMitty, you are entered. Thank you and welcome to MooseBoots.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy!
ReplyDeleteNick, you are in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI came over here by way of the Mrs"s blog, please enter me in the contest. Our weather here in NE Oklahoma is so warm right now. It was in the 60s today and only a low of 41 for tonite. It was nice to have the house open for awhile today, but it is too early for this much warm.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you that would like to start maple sugaring at home, www.TapMyTrees.com provides step by step instructions on how to get started. We also offer supplies that are geared to the maple sugaring hobbyist. We are happy to answer any maple sugaring question you might have (send an email to info@tapmytrees.com). Deux Ex Machina - would like to provide you a give-away to offer on your next posting. - Joe, Tap My Trees
ReplyDeleteThis weather has been concerning. It was 60 degrees in the Denver area today. On a lighter note, I would loooove to be able to own and read this book!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity!
Donna H.
Tea4Too0, I agree that it is nice, but troubling. I really wonder what the year has in store ... foraging-wise.
ReplyDeleteJoe (Tap My Trees), thanks for stopping by, and supporting my efforts.
ReplyDeleteDonna H, it is supposed to be close to 50 here today. I expect the sap will flow like crazy. You are, of course, welcome to have your name in the hat.
ReplyDeleteMissouri hasn't had a proper winter, either - it's been pretending to be zone 7, rather than 5a (excuse me, now we're apparently in 6a), where I am. I was just wondering aloud the other day what this was going to do to people in maple sugar areas this year.
ReplyDeleteFae, I am no expert, but I am worried. Perhaps, so of the old timers have seen the like of this winter before but I have not. There are winters with lots of snow and winters with almost no snow, but this is weird.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, your name will go into my hat.
Thanks for offering this, we'd love a chance at your book giveaway. Day 16: Building a Library! ~Laura & family
ReplyDeleteI would love the opportunity to expand my library of resource books. I got here via your lovely wife's blog & Facebook page. Love her! And now, I follow you as well. What a fantastic couple you two are. I've learned so much! And living here in the Northwest it has been a very unusual few years. Each one getting a bit more odd.
ReplyDeleteHello friend! Please add me to this amazing opportunity! I'd love a copy. My library has changed so much over the years that this would actually fall into the resource (Self improvement) section. I love reading all your blogs and educational forays into all things natural. I have done the same for some time however I don't blog, been told I should.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the weather changes, and change in general. More things not happening than usual. Hmm. I remember the winter of 2000 where we had so much snow up here that it had to be banked down the driveway over 6 feet high! And now...it's more like mudseason with freezing cold overnights.
So, we'll just take the high-road and smile a lot! Knowledge is power right?!!
And now to grovel...pick me, pick me, pick me.....:-)
Laura, you are certainly welcome to enter, especially given your families interest in foraging and herbal medicines.
ReplyDeleteHerbs and Chocolate, thank you for the compliment. You are in the running.
ReplyDeleteKristina, you are in. Grovelling will not get you an extra chance though.
ReplyDeleteLOL I love yours and Wendy's highly scientific selection...anyway, I'd love to have my name in the hat, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI was told over the past weekend that a Pennsylvania tapper who normally starts his taps at the end of February had already begun tapping for the year. So that would have been the end of January or the very beginning of February - at least a full month early. This weather is just so creepy! I really, really don't like it. Winter is too important to lose.
ReplyDeletePlease count me in for a chance at the book. It would be a great addition to our library. And thanks for doing another giveaway.
Robbyn, I, too, love our random selection device in each of the three forms. You name will be included.
ReplyDeleteKate, you are quite welcome. I am glad there are a few of you out there who are interested. I have been finding more evidence that it is time for the tapping, not the least of which is the sap flowing into the buckets. I don't like it either, but I am just trying to work with Nature.
ReplyDeleteDues Ex Machina, please add me to the list of many who would like to win the book on medicinal plants. We've had some cold temps around here but it's only rained a couple of times since November. The winter garden needs to be watered each week. In my 15 years living in the Great Central Valley I've never had to water in winter...until now.
ReplyDeleteWhat if it's today?, you are gladly entered to win the book. As you can see, there are similar "strange changes" in the weather all over the place. Oh, and welcome to MooseBoots.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to read your blog before until now. I like yours too! I am greatly interested in the Medicinal book.
ReplyDeleteAmy E, thank you. I am glad you like what you see. You are in the running.
ReplyDeleteHello! Please enter me to win the book! I have noticed the early Spring/super mild winter thing here in Maryland as well, I am just starting out with a garden this year so I have no idea when to plant, but I'm really feeling the urge to get going. Maybe planting a little early isn't such a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, you are in. Just be careful about what you plant early ... think about cold tolerant stuff just in case.
ReplyDelete