life is good - and it's a long post!

manofmusic · Post by **manofmusic** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 1:55 pm

I will keep my fingers crossed about your car !

The country was peaceful as usual. In the acres of maple trees, there are 256 trees that are tapped. When the sap comes out of the tree thru the tap, it's clear like water. It's a little sweet. It takes 7 litres of sap to make 1 litre of maple syrup. We all put on the rubber boots and walked thru the forest to empty the sap buckets at the base of the tree. From there, it gets poured into a big metal bucket that's over the boiler. The big metal bucket slowly drips out the sap into the first trough. As the sap boils and gets thicker, it goes into the next trough though a small slot at the bottom of the first trough. It keeps boiling and moving into the next troughs until it gets thicker and much sweeter. Before they go to bed, they toss a bunch of wood into the stove and keep it boiling over night. They have what they call the "Sugar Shack". That's where all of the boiling takes place. It smells so good in there ! It was a busy afternoon and I'm tired now and ready for bed.

Well, the boss is on vacation this week. The other "boss" takes over. He's a jerk. He's the one that has something to prove so he treats everyone like dirt and laughs while he does it. I think he's bordering on being a sociopath. I do my best to ignore him, but it's like trying to ignore a bee buzzing around my head.

I know I said that I wasn't going to think about work while I was at home, but sometimes it slips.

Congratulations on getting the house and porch decluttered !

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:24 pm

Hi Manofmucic:
Thank you for sharing on this board about the maple syrup making. I found that so interesting. I didn't know anything abou that.

As a child I'd been to a primitive type of syrup mill where the juice frum the cane was extracted and turned into syrup. It was cooked down in a large vat. I won't go into detail here abut how that was done. But it was very facinating to me. I was just a child. Cane was grown in our area.

Thank you for sharing about that . I had no idea at all. I can just imagaine walking thru' the forest.

Hi Karma. On Tuesday we are to get 75 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. We will pass this on to you shortly thereafter.

MJ

karmaberry1 · Post by **karmaberry1** » Sun Mar 07, 2010 2:48 pm

cornflower - thank you so much for sharing your weather on to me! LOL

the boys and i are lying across the bed. it's been a good weekend. we're resting up for monday!

i hope you've been well and happy.

manofmusic · Post by **manofmusic** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:09 am

Cornflower ! Glad you enjoyed. It was a learning experience for sure.

Last night, I went to bed at about 10:30. Around 10:45, I heard some loud noises outside and all of a sudden, my bedroom was full of flashing red and white lights from outside. It ends up that my next door neighbour was taken away in an ambulance. He's 90 years old and wore a heart monitor. His wife was freaking out more than just a bit. I went to get dressed and go outside, but the neighbours on the other side came out and helped her back into her house. I've been her neighbour now for over 15 years. Needless to say, I didn't get a wink of sleep last night. I couldn't get that sight out of my head. She's not home right now, so she must still be up at the hospitol. (Their oldest daughter went over to their house during the night sometime.) I want to call next door later, but I don't want to bother her. Do you think I would be bothering her if I called ? I called my folks to tell them. Mom said to go over to see if she needs anything, but I don't know .

Today was a strange day. Still couldn't get the images from last night out of my head. The day went by fast. I did get work done, but I better re-check it tomorrow.

The weather, however, is beautiful ! It's sunny and bright and it's 60 degrees. It's supposed to be this way for the rest of the week and it's about time !

karmaberry1 · Post by **karmaberry1** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:55 am

call your neighbor! you're good to them - you shovel their walkway. she knows you care about them. and NO she will not feel intruded upon!!!!!

karmaberry1 · Post by **karmaberry1** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:14 pm

my day was different that usual. mama followed me to my mechanic's where we dropped my car to be scanned - then we went on to have her blood work done. the scan said it's something with the transmission so we then took it to the recommended transmission place. mama drove me to work - i got there at 9:45.

apparently there's a stomach virus going around - i now have it. i called mama and had her come pick me up at 4:00. i knew i could grab a ride home with anyone at work but i felt icky and wanted to get home.

i called the transmission place and they hadn't looked at my car yet - it was 4:30. the guy said he'd call me back - i'm still waiting LOL and sigh

i left my purse at work - that is so bizarre! - and my super super good friend dropped it by about an hour ago. she doesn't feel good either. if i get over this virus thing by morning, i have a ride to work with a friend and co-worker.

i haven't been sick all winter. i think it's because it was so cold in the house no germs could live LOL i think i'm getting a cold too - good grief!!!

i don't know if what i posted about your neighbor came through so i'll say it again. do call her. she knows you're concerned and that you care. you're so good to them with shoveling their walkway - do you have any idea how much that says about your character? there's a big difference between intruding and showing concern! i understand how you couldn't get the pictures out of your head. it's heartbreaking to see people in desperate situations.

jillzmind · Post by **jillzmind** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:47 pm

Man I agree with Karma..please call on your neighbor. I am sure she considers you like family to some extent. I hope she is okay?
Take care and hopefully all will be okay.
J~

jillzmind · Post by **jillzmind** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:49 pm

Karma
sorry you are feeling icky. I hope you feel better real soon. Maybe some apple juice, toast and some rice is in order? And lots of rest.And maybe a lil MST3K to laugh the ickies away?
take care
J~

manofmusic · Post by **manofmusic** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:33 pm

Jill - Thanks for the reply. My neighbour's lights aren't on anymore. They must be on timers. I hope everything will be ok too. It makes me feel on edge a bit. I haven't seen anyone come back yet.

Karma - I hope you feel better soon. There are a few guys at work that were off sick today. I woke up this morning feeling kind of blah. I think mine was just due to no sleep though ! LOL
If you need to take a sick day, go for it. Just relax and do what Jill said. Watch some MST3K.

I'm doing my best to just relax. It's another hour or so before bed. Maybe I'll just turn in early. I need the sleep.

karmaberry1 · Post by **karmaberry1** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:15 pm

while the boys - combined weight of about 180 pounds - alternately jumped over me and wresteld atop me, i watched "raising arizona" - one of the funniest movies of all time. i love the cast. john goodman - one of my favorites. holly hunter - priceless. nick cage - loser to the nth degree and beyond as he cruises convenience stores "not on his route home from work" LOL x forever

i don't think i'll be going to work tomorrow. i really don't appreciate it when people drag in sick. ok it makes me crazy LOL i don't want to be one of those people!

that being stated, years ago i read the book "the stand." it's something that has - unfortunately LOL - stayed in my head. i'm thinking of all the people i touched today. the people who touched my car key - and there were several. i shared my tin of hand cream with a friend. with the same tin, i rubbed lotion on a friend's fingers and cuticles. i helped new coworker on her computer and used her mouse. i delivered mail to several people. the list goes on and on!!!! yikes x a bunch LOL

mst3000 awaits me tomorrow!!!!