The Kids and Mama Maple

I took the 5-year-olds to the big-leaf maple where Bob put in 4 spiles last week. We get several gallons of sap a day, and the sunny afternoon had the sap dripping into the collection jar.

The kids were entranced. They dripped sweet sap into their mouths. They filled cups and argued about whose tube was flowing fastest. We thanked the tree and listened to the gurgle of approaching spring.