As I leaned through the thorny canes in reach of the next ripe black-purple jewel, I enjoyed the cool breeze that lied about the afternoon heat to come and listened to my neighbor's cows bawl to their calves. Birds sang in the woods behind me. My big, yellow farm dog Cracker sprawled out nearby, tired out from chasing off anything that might threaten me. What a great morning.
During a decade of berry-picking, I've decided that Velcro® was invented by someone who spent his childhood summers caught in a tangle of blackberry thorns. I've also made up a list of the unofficial Rules of Blackberry Picking - which, by the way, also make a good list of Rules for Life.
2. Be aware of the dangers around you. Keep your eyes and your face safe, and keep thorns from catching in your hair and your clothing.
3. Ask for help when you're stuck.
4. Don't procrastinate. Yes, it's hot, but the peak of harvest waits for no woman.
6. Change your perspective. By looking up, and then down, you'll find berries that were hidden before. When you get to the end of the thicket, go back the way you came to spot berries you might have missed the first time.
7. Don't be greedy. Be willing to share with the wildlife.
9. Sing loudly. It scares off the wildlife.
10. Life has both thorns and sour berries, just like a blackberry thicket. But in the end it's worth it.
~~~~~
My hope is to inspire you, and to encourage your homesteading plans and your dreams of a
I love the analogies (and I love blackberries too)! Thanks for sharing your post at Tuesday's with a Twist. :)
ReplyDelete~Candy
Thank you, Candy. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this! Although I usually go diving into a blackberry thicket without planning much at all (shorts and tank top? who cares! BLACKBERRIES!! bahaha...). Even with the bloody arms and legs later on...totally worth it! ;D
ReplyDeleteRose! Shorts and tank top?? I shudder! I was attacked by thorns twice this year, they scratched my leg even through my heavy denim jeans, and the second time I was stuck and had to ask for help to get loose. You be careful!
ReplyDeleteWow, I never realized picking blackberries was so perilous! Hope you enjoyed the harvest! Thank you for sharing this outdoor post on this week's Maple Hill Hop!
ReplyDeleteIt is, Daisy! I'm convinced that the inventor of Velcro picked blackberries as a child.
ReplyDeleteLovely berry patch! l
ReplyDeleteI found a great way to keep the thorns out of your fingers and from scratching your hands. I took an old pair of rubber gloves and cut the index finger and thumb tip out of my right hand or left if you are left handed.) A good hat, long sleeves, pants and boots keep the ticks and sun from ruining the blackberry experience. I LOVE your sing a song point!
ReplyDeleteI'll be giving that tip a try, Tracy. Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOh a great post. You brought back some wonderful memories for me. My grandfather actually planted and raised these beautys. They are my favorite fruit. His were planted in rows so it was a little easier. You've brought back wonderful memories for me. Thank you. Many blessings,
ReplyDeleteSherry
I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it brought back so many good memories!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Kathi! Thanks for sharing on the Art of Home-Making Mondays :) I especially like your sing loud... that makes sense to me :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for sharing at Simple Lives Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Thanks for sharing at Simple Lives Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, Kara.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you were able to get a ton of fresh blackberries! They look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday. We'll be featuring this article this week!
Thank you for the feature! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice way to look at life. Hello from Natural Living Monday.
ReplyDeleteHello, Melissa. Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDelete