Proposals

I will bring some simulated sap that has been boiled to nearly syrup.  We will finish boiling it to syrup, using a hydrometer to determine when it is just the right density to be syrup. We will observe the increase in the boiling temperature as the density of the liquid increases.  Then, we will continue boiling some of it until it is dense enough to make maple candy.   We will have syrup and maple candy to sample and to share with others.

Introduction to fort making: 30 minutes, open to adults and childrenThere will be a break for half an hour, then we'll have a fort open house - show us all what you created!During the discussion, we will look at concepts, core materials and finding inspiration for making a fort inside of your home. There are many different types of forts, and each has pro's and con's regarding durability, safety, light and space. Are you building for a slumber party? Creating a maze for a child, or perhaps a cardboard box castle?When does turning over a couch make sense, or not make sense for that matter? What safety considerations, policies and procedures do you and your friends want to put in place with the creation of your new tiny house? ; )Ideally this would be 30 minutes of discussion and Q&A, followed by a break of half an hour and then an indoor fort parade in which those interested can give a tour of their fort! : D

I've been thinking a lot about what it looks like to be a fulfilled and happy person during the pandemic. I think it's unrealistic to just sit around and wait for "the world to return to normal." Instead, I want to figure out how to build a new world that is safe, social, and sustainable regardless of whether there's a pandemic happening. This workshop will take the form of a group brainstorm about what we all need to be happy people who aren't going stircrazy, and how to get some version of those things while social distancing. It will look at how we might re-design social and recreational activities like dancing, travel, potlucks, and dating to be both satisfying and safe. It will also explore how to reframe our thinking about the activities which are still available to us during social distancing to make them more satisfying. My personal goal is to get some great brains together to think about how to design safe spaces for dancing outside this summer (an outdoor dance floor in a community space big enough for dancers to stay distant from each other? Workshops in shadow waltzes? An upswing in solo blues dance?) I also want to think about how we might handle social activities this winter (if we need to carry on isolation at that time) without freezing our bums off outside!**note: I would also be glad to hold this workshop as an outside-but-in-person workshop with a small group in the Burlington VT area, if anyone is interested!**

Have you ever wondered what the scrubby little plant growing through a crack in the sidewalk is? Now's your chance to find out. Grab your headphones, a notebook, and some chalk, and follow me out into our (own respective) neighborhood(s)! As we go, everyone will have the opportunity to share close-ups of weeds they're curious about, and I will help to identify them. If you are feeling bold, join me in being a rogue botanist and label your plants with chalk for all your neighbors to see.I do realize this will only work for those who have smartphones, data, and cell towers in their area, so for anyone who wants to take pictures of neighborhood plants ahead of time, I'll make sure to include a time to look at those as well. This can be a two-stage workshop, or we can simply adjust as needed.