He's been up there 6 months now. He needed time to heal, both in body and spirit. The pain of a broken marriage took a toll on him. He had lost weight down to what he was at 14. He also wanted to be near his children from a previous marriage. Get to know them again and enjoy his grandchild.

Here in the north country he hears the wind in the pines instead of the sound of waves on the southern beaches. The sound of birds of the forest and an occasional call of an eagle instead of the sound of seabirds. Here he wades through snow and the icy waters of mountain streams. In the summer he walks in the coolness of the forest instead of the sand and salty waters of the South Atlantic Coast. Will he go back to the southern shores? Maybe but the time is not yet right.

By day he does hard physical labor as he cleans up around his new home. He's glad he bought it because its beautiful up here and a welcome change from the heat and humidity of the deep south. At night he is very tired and sleeps the restful sleep of accomplishment. Every day he can see improvements, in body and spirit as well as his surroundings. Slowly he is healing, gaining weight and using muscles he hadn't used much before.

In the spring he taps the surrounding maple trees for sap. He will try cooking it and making syrup when he is finished. Here he must compete with beaver for his trees. He sees one now and then that they have cut down overnight. So he sets traps to relocate them. Every day he must check traps as well as gather sap from the trees. Its very tiring to wade in snow in some places and the swollen icy streams. But undaunted he goes every day.

When the streams are low enough he builds bridges. He builds them strong and sturdy to withstand the rushing waters of swollen streams. He will be able to stay dry now when next high water comes. The risk of slipping and falling in the frigid water is averted. The waders were good protection but not if he slipped and fell. A fall could result in pneumonia or hypothermia. There is always that risk.

When he has tapped all the sap from the trees he is ready to make his syrup. He rigs up protection from wind and rain around the vat and starts the process. From his store of wood he keeps the fire going in the furnace for the first cooking. He must keep the syrup stirred so it doesn't scorch and ruin the taste. With a bucket attached to the end of a pole he stirs and dips constantly. Finally with pride of accomplishment he pours his first cooking in gallon containers. He stands back and admires his handiwork with a smile of satisfaction.

When he has finished he has several hundred gallons of sweet maple syrup. First he has to try it so he makes a few pancakes for breakfast next morning. He has a winner! Now what to do, sell it at local stores, or give to friends. He would do both!