Went to Lehmans

We went to Lehmans last weekend.
This is an annual spring event for us, but this year was different.

They had a flood a few weeks ago and had all the flood damaged merchandise marked 50% off.
They had no flood insurance so they are needing to make even more sales to make up for all the damage. they have a pretty large area devoted to flood damaged stuff. But still at 50% off some of it is pricey.

We had a get together at our place last year for some folks I know from online. It has become an annual event also...4 years now. One of the guys that comes is from over in that area and told us about their regular markdown area. (we had never found it before) It is in the upstairs portion of the toy department. (where the train runs around)

Found lots of good stuff up there, if you make it to Lehmans be sure and hit the upstairs.

While I was picking up a few more spiles for next years maple syrup I got into a nice conversation with a couple from the Cleveland area. They ended up getting a few also so they could tap their yard trees next year.

I also spied the old guy from all the cardboard cutouts with the white beard and hair. I was so tempted to walk up to him and shake him and say "just trying to see if you're the real one" LOL

Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy

my 2 tablespoons of maple syrup

Boiled down about 1/2 gallon of sap Thursday night. Ended up with a small amount of syrup.Boy is it good!!
I think I got ripped off a couple years ago when I traded some writing for some "real homemade Vermont maple syrup".
It was sweet and tasted good but was very light in color and had almost no maple flavor. Could of been corn syrup for all I know.
Mine is nice and brown and has a strong maple taste. I didn't boil it long enough to get real thick because it is so sweet.
I'm going to invest in some "sugaring" equipment before next year. I have a very large cast Iron pot they used for butchering that should double for boiling down sap, since we are poor and can't afford a new or used pan.

Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy

Maple Syrup

I put in two syrup taps today. They are in two small maples that are growing in the drip line of my shop. I have a huge sugar ample in the yard but have tried three years now to get sap but nothing comes out no matter where I drill.
The little ones are dripping well into the gallon jugs and I will update on what we get.
I was going to walk down to the woods and put some taps in but My cordless drill batteries are on their last legs and I don't have the correct bit for my brace.

Still clinging to my God and my guns,
Randy