Old Bucks.

 Big old bucks get to be that way by using rougher terrine when traveling and bedding down away from younger bucks in thickets.  So, even though the weather was on the verge of changing over from rain to snow, I got out with the dogs for an evening walk. 

As I walked the dogs this evening I thought about a story  my buddy told me about, while he was bow hunting  he watched an old buck bed down in among the the branches of a fallen oak.  Totally out of sight. 

 

 They say that old bucks makes scrapes both early and late in the year.

 but not really what I was looking for.

 and these bones don't go with that scull.

Good puppy.

photo opt. 

Among the brush at the base of this old oak is where he took his final rest.

My heart raced when I found this one I'll have to hike back and look for an old broad head among the bones

April

 Easter Sunday we did brunch at the Convivium.  An urban farmstead on Jackson street.

 With these pepes.

 Then it was back to the country for an afternoon hike with the dogs.

 A little off balance 

 Monday I caught several of these little brown trout.

 So, today it was back to school for some professional development meetings.

But, lunch time is my time.   So, I went to the dam to gather some drift wood for one of Susie's art projects.  Of course I took my pole and threw just enough casts to catch this little northern pike.

ANOTHER FIRST!

Last night after school I fished a new stretch of trout stream.

Lot's of deep pools and beautiful water.

  I took the fly rod not knowing what I was getting myself into.  Lot's of brush.

But this morning I had another first on my way to school...
A Snowy Owl!  

As I came over the hilltop a beautiful Snowy Owl took flight from a top of a fence pole and flew over the fields just two miles South of our house

Shut It Down

 The Maple trees are starting to bud so it's time to shut down the Sugar Bush for the year.

I loaded everything into the back of the truck along with some fire wood.  Winter's not over yet.  They're predicting 4+ inches of wet snow for the weekend.

 I had a few leftovers.

One last gleaming fire.

MARCH MADNESS CONTINUES.

I hit the stream the other morning on my way to school. 

 Eagar to learn....

 Relaxing down at the Mill with Brother Sun and Sister Moon

 and friends.

 Gathering the last sap of the season for me and my helper, Clayton before he makes the move back to New York

 Another nice day

 And sunny.

The work continues late into the evening.

OUT TO LUNCH.

 First stop.  The Shoe Box in Black Earth.

 Next it was off to Bruce and Company.  The guy who helped us out really knew his stuff.  Years ago Seed Savers had a store in Madison.  Now, Bruce and Co offers the biggest selection of Seed Saver seeds outside of Decorah.  We talked about cutting back this year but when we hit the register,  I guess not.  

 Drinks?  Don't mind if I do.  Susie had an Alicia Maria and I had a Breakfast Stout. For lunch.

 Awesome bowls of Bibimbap with a fried egg on top.

 We both know what we like and ate every last bit.  We always talk about what we get the next time we go to Graze but I think we'll end up getting the same dang thing.  Because it's so good!

AS THE SAP DRIPS THE TIME SLIPS #DANIKA

Saturday was a work day.  Gathering wood and boiling sap down.  Jim Goldy 3, Jace and Josh all stopped by to keep Ace, Maxine and I company and sip a little sap.  By the time I put in the last of the sap around 8:00 pm Saturday night I had over 30 gallons in my 15 gallon pan.

 What a beautiful weekend for a few visitors down in the sugar bush

 Once Susie put out the word that she was making snacks for Sunday, Jace, Jim and Mike made it back down

 Ann and the Girls came over from across the river to make plans with Susie for their next East coast adventure and Jen and James stopped by on their way to Andrew to snack on some of Susie's sugar twists.

 Jace kept things prim and proper as he sipped a backwoods cocktail.  Hard cider, ginger beer, bourbon and of course a splash of maple syrup. 

 Mary and Clayton were down for their spring elixir. 

 This batch couldn't have worked out any better.

We finished it up down in the timber.  Low and slow.

 By Monday, Susie had thing all bottled up.  All in all just over a gallon of fresh syrup.

Things have changed a bit since the weekend.  No school on Monday and a late start today.  After a couple inches of snow and Ice...   Hopefully this little blast of cold will get the sap running for next weekend.