"Trying to shake off the emotions of a recently emptied nest and midlife anxiety, Peter Gregg launches into a strange new chapter -- he decides to make maple syrup. A lot of it. After recruiting his best buddy, Bert, and collecting advice from a clique of salty farmers who've been sugaring all their lives, Gregg is soon consumed by what maple producers call "the Bug." He sets out to chase the mythical "five pounder" goal -- a lofty syrup production total that'll put him in league with the pros in Vermont. For the next three months, from January to early April, the two men battle the rugged terrain of a mountain of maples in an Ahab-like quest that eats up their energy, time, and the contents of their wallets. Along the way, they learn how to handle dangerous equipment, outrun predatory wildlife, and deal with the sped-up seasons brought on by climate change. Out of their struggle, they get something more valuable than the liquid gold they're cooking: bonds of lasting friendship, a lifeline to a community, and a sense of purpose that remains long after sugaring season is over."--