Syrupy sweet

So, how was Maple weekend for you? LOML and I did a quick tour of a few Maple sites with our youngest daughter, her friend and her friend’s rather large dog, Aries. In the past, it was our children who limited or defined where we’d visit while on “tour.” This past weekend, we had to keep Aries in mind. Aries is a big fellow and, while well-behaved (perhaps better behaved than our children were when they were youngsters) he did have a “who’s a good boy” expiry time and wouldn’t be welcome at a lot of sites. Aries’s “Mom” told us not to worry too much about him chasing down anyone’s pancakes but, he is a dog. Locations with sheep, chickens, bunnies and unprocessed bacon were definitely out.

For the most part, it was a delightful, delicious weekend. Whenever our children visit us with their friends in tow, those friends are forewarned of the small community friendliness. LOML and I inevitably meet people we’ve known for years and we have to spend time playing catch-up. “How’s your family? What’s your husband/wife/mother/father doing these days? What are the kids/grandkids up to? Did little Jean/Bob get married? Anyone we know? Was that your youngest driving a new car? Did you get away this winter? How about those Blue Jays? Warm enough for you? What’s up with this weather? Sorry to hear about your Dad/Mom.” And on and on it goes. It’s spring. We’ve all been hiding away, somewhere, for months and now the “coats” are off. Maple weekend is a get-together blessing in disguise and the best time to get caught up with the “who did what, with which and to whom” while we are hiding behind our scarves, mittens and toques.

When our kids were youngsters, this kind of “catching up” was often met with little eye rolls, sighs, gravel scuffling, coat tugging, burping (and worse) and less than quiet “ah hums.” But that was then and this is now. These days, our kids are all growed-up (they still roll their eyes, sigh, gravel scuffle, burp and worse), but are as likely to spend time catching up with their school chums as we are with our friends. I was a bit concerned about our daughter’s friend who isn’t from a small town. As it turned out, she contributed to our slow progress with her pooch along for the fun. Aries, who just happens to be a husky, politely sat at each location while oodles of children patted him, hugged him and let him clean the maple syrup off their faces. The kids thought Aries was giving them kisses but seriously, even Aries enjoyed the maple syrup goodness. Aries is a meat-aterrian but he draws the line at little kids smothered in maple syrup. Even Aries found a friend to chat up – Dodger MacKay.

You know and I know Maple in the County is about economic development, being a destination, overnighters in hotels and B & Bs, spending money in our community and the showcasing of the County’s bounty. But, let’s be honest, it’s the beginning of spring, we all needed to kick up our heels and say “howdy” and lick a bit of syrup off a face or two.

 theresa@wellingtontimes.ca