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Monday, August 2

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The day started with Bob and two grandsons (Wayne and Jayden) extracting honey from the beehives. Notice the smoke. Bob said that helps to calm the bees.

Using a leaf blower to encourage the bees to leave.

I went through Bob’s cabinet shop to get another view on the bee hives.

Bob was pleased with the work they accomplished and the honey that was extracted.

While our laundry dried, I walked around the property to see if I missed any photo opportunities during the past five days. It was the halfway point of our road trip – and a beautiful sunny day to do laundry.

I could see a neighbor’s barn when down at the lake.

My favorite part of the lake is listening to the loons. I didn’t see any on this trip, but I heard them – especially in the early morning.

The small house behind Bob and Doris’ house where Japheth Jr. is currently living.

I think much of their corn will survive the hail, unless the tassels were damaged too much for pollinating.

There are zucchini blossoms despite the damaged stalks. Zucchini seem to survive anything. 🙂

Following lunch, Doris began several batches of wild blueberry jam.

Diane, you will be glad to see that Doris uses Maine blueberries. 🙂

A kettle full of wild blueberries

Delicious-looking blueberry jam bubbling in the kettle.

Making jam is very familiar to Doris and she certainly knows what she is doing when making this in bulk for market days.

I offered to help and she gave me the job of closing the jars.

Bob made this block holder where Doris puts the hot jars. She can then easily tighten the lids, without touching the hot jar because the square hole keeps the jar from turning. This was created after Bob helped her with the lids – thinking there had to be a better way to do the job.

She also cans them with a ten-minute water bath – to help preserve the jam. Jars will seal without this, but the water bath is an extra protection against spoilage.

Twenty-seven pints later we were on our way to Perkins to treat Bob and Doris to supper.

They are great hosts. We love spending time with them.