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Friday, April 2, 2010

Missionary's Position---Water Here


This is a poster of a water issue forum that is about to take place here in Amherst. It seems that some of the local Lakes and Rivers are literally going dry. Now we have had a few years here that have been thought to have been slightly dry, maybe 5 of them in a row, but not really dry, just down some.

What we have had are additions of circle pivot sprinkler systems on agriculture land. The reason for the new irrigation is to increase harvest to maximum levels of mostly potatoes and corn, that's the corn being used for ethanol. They have always had potatoes here, and for that mater corn but for some reason they think they have to hype the growth to max out every thing. Plus, it is well known the ethanol type corn is very water intensive. Oh, the old energy thing again.

At this point there is push back and an attempt to pass legislation to curb the heavy water extraction which is no doubt causing the draw down of our watershed. This state, unlike Colorado, has almost no water law, so its everybody for themselves and screw the lakes. I believe in fighting back so a week ago, I and a few local activist went down and testified at a Senate Hearing in Madison. Felt good and necessary. It was enjoyable because the chairman of the Conservation Committee is an old friend from rugby playing days at the University. We got the only laugh of the day in commenting about brain injury. The water thing is not funny.

Revolution Watch--Your Good and Your Bad


Right here in central Wisconsin they are moving on wind energy. One has to give them credit because The Rapids is not a rich place and they have been hit with paper mill closings that have set them back. To see them step up the the plate is interesting because one would think they are angry, distraught, and unconvinced there maybe a problem with energy, but BINGO. There is no reason to think all the new technology has to go to Europe or China. Have to wish them luck.

But then on the other hand the local newspaper comes out opposed to the rail proposals. My God man, do you think this car thing will go on for ever? Warren Buffet just took a major position in Burlington Northern because he says rail is the future. Our CSX stock just keeps going up and pays a dividend. Time to get real on all quarters. This is the sustainable revolution.

Our wind energy stocks are close to flat lining. Not good there but some win and some loose.

The Finished Product

The maple sap hardly ever came, but after a threat of a lawsuit, there was a change of weather and the nectar did, at least in some trees, dribble out. I was able to capture some 25 gallons for what clearly was marginal drippings. I was not happy. Because it just didn't seem enough and I was suspicious that the warm weather may have not only disrupted the flow but altered the sap itself, I needed another plan.

At the last moment, the word was out that Byron had left town because he had to go goose hunting in North Dakota and was not able to bring in the the late season run. In a fit of need, I ascended on his sugar bush of some 80 trees and with the help of his dandy new tractor secured a bounty of another 25 gallons of pure, pristine sap---a few bugs floating yes, but small feathery ones.

What followed is what I suspect is all light-hearted sap gatherers most favorite activity and that is the rolling boil. This event is usually accompanied by a roaring wood fire under a big pan finding the sap harvesters sitting comfortably in front drawing on a pleasant Wisconsin beer. The wood is fed in casually, but constantly. As the liquid steams off the batch, it becomes more concentrate and with that, the wafting smell of maple syrup drifts through the air. It is the smell that brings us all back. It is the smell of spring, of March. Coupled with the ever present odor of burning pine and poplar there is no greater welcome of the season. With the sound of the Cardinals ever decending calls of love and the distant songs of Sandhills the wealth of the land presents itself to all senses.



The grand touch in the finishing boil that takes place in the kitchen. The final reduction of water is carefully carried out with more control for to over render is a mess that can not be described and will leave ones marriage well marred. Dangerous as it may be, this final act is my favorite, for once the boil is going, the air of the kitchen is filled with the intensity of maple flavor. What a treat to walk into the warm kitchen and be blasted by that smell of spring's bounty.

The first batch turned out dark and of poor taste but the workings of the Sugar Maples from Byron proved true and if I might say robust---a spring worth having.