WATER CRESS

Competition has been ferrous along the trout streams of Jackson County for the best water cress cutting spots.

Fortunately, the other day I was able to snap a quick shot of the hillbilly in his natural habitat gathering greens to go with his tubers.   From the look of his teeth and sturdy build it appears that he didn't miss too many meal over the winter months.


Word of warning.  When your out,                                               keep your eyes and ears open.

WORTHINGTON IOWA

Two interesting home construction.  I've been watching these projects progress over the years.  First the barn converted into a home on the right and the huge structure to the left.  Today I noticed the tree house.  Creative parents produce creative and interesting children.

Here's a sharp old brick school house that's used for farm storage.

FISHING

Beau an a 32 lb. 58 in.   Paddle fish.

 Tagged Paddle fish.

Nice Brown Trout.

SUPER MOON FRIDAY NIGHT

Mother passed last night.  After an afternoon of playing bridge on St. Patrick's Day.

Joyce passed in to everlasting life.  God Bless Her Soul.

THE HISTORY OF MAPLE SYRUP

                                                          pot of curry on the stove

                                                            Maya helps gather the sap.

I love having young children get the opportunity to hang out in the timber, exploring and learn about the history of maple syrup production and how the Indigenous people were first to tap trees, inserting hollow reeds, letting the sap drip into troughs and boiling it down over a wood fire. The process isn't much different today, except most people use metal taps, plastic tubing and buckets or plastic bags to catch the sap.

SUGAR SEASON WINDING DOWN

 If I can get out in the timber and gather up the wood I will have enough sap for one more batch.  Plus I've got plans for Beau and I to go paddle fish snagging below the lock and dam on the Mississippi River before I can get out in the timber.

Several full bananas are hanging from the trees which need to be emptied.

 

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to have several visitors out in the sugar bush.  On Saturday Ryan and Roger came out and helped hull wood and gather sap.  Then on Sunday Mary and Clayton brought  some friends by for a sap/tea party.

Soccer season started this week with warm weather.  50 +  boys signed-up.  We'll see what the count is after 3 weeks of conditioning. 

BACON IN THE BUSH

Looking forward to another good weekend down in the sugar bush.  Last weekends sap boiled off to about 2 quarts.

Several visitors stopped by to help and socialize as the snow squalls rolled through the area. Its been a good week for the sap to run, this afternoon i'll start boiling it down and continue through the weekend. I hope to get out to some of the neighbors to see how things are flowing too.