You Learn Something New Every Day

11 things I learned in 2011 that I definitely didn’t blog about. In no particular order.

- I learned that people struggle at blogging once they begin worrying about the people reading what they write.  When I began this blog in June of 2009 I was working 3 hourly jobs and was learning a ton of random information from the wide variety of people I was interacting with. However, when I began at my current role (salary, 401k, health benefits – what, what!)  I started realizing just how small social media can make the world and I started getting apprehensive about what I was putting online. I realize that in the age of constant media-overload personal censorship can definitely be a good thing, but at the end of the day all of the most interesting people I pay attention to are the ones who aren’t afraid of putting themselves out there. So, I’m going to start blogging again and I’m not going to freak out if I spell something wrong or if I accidentally swear or throw in a sexual innuendo here and there. This is my own little blog and I’m still fairly certain my mom and Kelly Beaver are the only two who ever check it. [Rant, over. List, you may continue...]

- I learned how to let go of an 8 year relationship. [This also includes a lovely bonus: I learned post-breakup loneliness!]

- I learned what it feels like to be part of a neighborhood again. After my limbo-years going from East Lansing to Grand Haven to Ada/Cascade it is amazing to feel at home in the East Hills neighborhood here in Grand Rapids. I’m a sucker for small town vibes and East Hills is the perfect little combo of all things I love. The Pickwick + Richard App’s Gallery + Green Well + Brewery Vivant + Antique shopping. I love.

- I have learned that it is possible to develop incredibly close friendships within a short period of time if there is an equal exchange of honesty and vulnerability.

- I re-learned what it looks/feels/sounds like to fall in love with someone new.

- I learned that I’m excellent at saying goodbye. [But I'm ready to stop having to.]

- I learned how to garden! Kind of! And by what I mean by that is: I grew some herbs, some peppers and some tomatoes. I don’t necessarily know how these things happened, but I totally loved it.

- I learned what it’s like to have someone rely on me. I have been mentoring an 8 year old girl in reading through the United Way’s Schools of Hope program for the last year. My mentee expects me to be at her school, ready to read, every tuesday at 11:00am. Meetings are re-arranged. Flights are planned accordingly. The queen of 3 minutes behind, is on time, on Tuesdays. [If you live in Grand Rapids, you should consider becoming a mentor...]

- I learned (with help) that sometimes the best place you can be, is where you are.

- I learned (came to terms with) the fact that my drink of choice is a dirty martini, regardless of how much I’m sure my mom wishes it were a glass of cab. It’s really quite amazing considering one of my New Years Resolutions in 2008 was to make a list of all the foods I hated and be able to tolerate them by 2009. Green olives were top on my list.

- I learned how to shoot a hand gun. [Throws hands in air, like a G, and exits.]

It seems every year I’m driving along and see a little sign saying “Maple Sugar –>” and as soon as I see it, I know I’m too late. I have literally wanted to witness the process of making Maple Sugar for at least 5 years now. This year, thanks to the stars aligning, I was finally able to bring my dream to fruition!

Lisa Rose Starner wrote a wonderful piece in The Rapidian last week that re-sparked my interest in maple syrup. Then, as I was driving home from the outskirts of Ada (Bailey) I saw that same little sign and immediately got worried that I had missed all the seasons syrup festivities yet again. I zipped down Buttrick Ave and ran inside to grab my computer. Quick, Lisa, tell me that all hope is not lost!

That’s when I saw it, Blandford Nature Center was having their Sugarbush Tours THAT DAY. It was 2:45. They were going from noon-4:00pm. I live 30 minutes away. I quick called and they fit me and a guest into the 4 o’clock timeslot. Life was good.

I called my Aunt Kathy (shortly to be renamed Aunt Jemima) who lives in Caledonia and we both immediately threw on our rainboots and headed toward our tasty tour!

Here is what I learned on this perfect little tour on the first sunny Saturday of Spring:

• “Maddogs” are trees that have branches that grow opposite of each other (vs. alternating branches). The three local tree’s that are the most common mad dogs are – Maple, Ash & Dogwood
• Sap is clear when it comes out of the tree. It looks exactly like water. Probably, because it is 97% water, and only 3% sugar.
• Maple syrup is 100% pure sap & heat. Once the sap is heated and the water evaporates, the sap becomes carmalized which gives it the brown color it is recognized by. Once the sap has been reduced to 66% sugar, it is now maple syrup. If you continue to evaporate the water out it will eventually become maple sugar.
• A sugar maple should be 40 years old before it is ever tapped.
• The stint that the sap drips out of is only around the size of my pinky. Or you’re pinky too, probably.
• The sugar maple needs to be at least 10 inches before it can be tapped with one bucket. It should be 18inches before adding an additional bucket.
• 1 tap gets around 10 gallons of sap per season.
• It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup

And just as a side note, yesterday for dessert we had vanilla ice cream with hot maple syrup and it was fan.tas.tic!