Well, after the strangest year I have every seen for our country in my lifetime one thing that is constant is sugaring season!!! It is coming.
We have all been lucky and no covid for my immediate family although we have been doing everything to avoid it, but you just never know. I can say I am just really tired of this thing and don't want to wear a mask anymore. My Brother who is in NJ got a very mild case. My sister who is in VT got it she was laid up for over a month pretty bad case but didn't have to stay in the hospital but went to the ER a few times trouble breathing. Lost My Aunt to it she lived in Ohio shut down her kidneys killed her in less than 2 weeks. Hope everyone on here is doing well.
Looks like we are having a sorta normal winter it was a little late getting here but we are getting cold and snow and everything. Pretty spoiled by the past few easy winters.
No upgrades for this year. Sales were about half since we had to close for maple weekend last year. Did more online sales and farm stand sales than ever before understandably. Really wanted a brandy new Atlas Copco vacuum pump this year but just didn't have the funds. I am working 6 days a week now and was never really shut down. My wife is the bread winner and she was down to half time half pay for a few months starting back in April. but a few projects to the house (bathroom remodel, new roof and solar panels) and my oldest now in college money's a little tight. All projects we started on before the shut down. The bathroom is about 3/4 done was delayed brought in a plumber to get things up to code and do a few things I wasn't comfortable with but the entire project could have taken about 4-5 days but was drawn out to 3-4 months. I finally gave up and finished everything myself at least they got the stuff done that I needed them to do. and the new roof is done but solar panels got delayed because the panels themselves are out of stock and have been since November and then snow just set things way back there. and they still aren't in yet. then there is lack of wood still and and the price of everything jeez.
Anyway, Got the sugarhouse straightened up 2 weeks ago and got things washed and rinsed out. Still need to rinse the evap and tanks but the hoses are frozen up but that won't take long to do.
Officially started tapping on Wednesday but got out of work late and by the time I got all my sh*t together I had about an hour left but still drilled a few holes. started just boots but ended that quick it was much easier to navigate with snowshoes. Ended up working late Thursday and Friday so didn't make into the woods. have to work today until 1pm grab some lunch and head out into the woods. Then gonna hit it hard Tomorrow. Temps my start to warm a little the end of week maybe to far out to tell really.
Well Good luck this year everyone Hope you all have a Great season.