It is blueberry season here in my remote corner of the planet! My "Pickin' Partners", Barb C., Kysa and I went on three berry expeditions recently.
Our unusually warm and sunny summer has resulted in a bumper crop that arrived a week or two early!
You may not know ... I love blueberries. Especially wild ones.
Um ... I also
like love to pick blueberries.
Loved ones have accused me of having an "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" when it comes to picking blueberries.
Aren't they beautiful?
Fall is here ... the blueberry bush foliage has begun turning into this beautiful red-violet color.
Sorry ... but these colors make me swoon. I need to knit a sweater in these colors ... or make a quilt using them.
Many of us grew up with this endearing book as a part of our childhood. My love of berry picking began early in my life and I passed it on to my children.
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| August 2012 |
It was also one of Sister DillyDally's favorite books!
Brother DillyDally's favorite was about the "Blueberry Boys" who lived in the forest. We would search for them while picking our berries.
We often felt the Blueberry Boys watching us while we were picking ... and we would talk about the many adventures the Boys would take Brother on.
Blueberry picking is about so much more than how many quarts or gallons of berries you harvest ...
... nor is it about all the delicious muffins, pies, pancakes, jams or jellies. It is about family ... lifestyle ... tradition ... and heritage. At least it is for me ... so see ... my OCD makes sense!
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| Robert McCloskey |
Before I was a blogger ... Barb and I had a very close encounter with a bear while berry picking. As a child, bears were a distant concern while berry picking in northern Minnesota. Here we
compete with both black and brown bears for berries. They are of primary concern!
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| Elsa Beskow |
After that too close for comfort event ... we never go picking ...
... without our "Chief Bear Patrol Officer", Kysa! She never sits still and is always patrolling the area where we are. She romps back and forth between Barb and I as we pick berries.
We reward her with a nice cool soak, kind words and lots of affection! I give her treats when we get home. No dog treats in the forest ... bears like dog treats!
Um ... did I mention that I love blueberry season? ;-) Also, I embrace my blueberry OCD ... I appreciate my berry picking partners ... oh, and before I forget ... I love this dillydally life!
Do what you love. Eat blueberries. Do dillydally!
Mrs. DillyDally
What fun - blueberry picking in the wild. Your detailed pictures make me feel like I'm right with you, Barb (you have a Barb too) and Kysa. Some day I would like to hear the story of your close encounter with the bear. Do you use a camera or cell phone for taking pictures?
ReplyDeleteYou are so very brave! I'm glad you have Kysa to protect you on your picking excursions. I just bought some in the store-not nearly as fun or perhaps as delicious. What good memories you have made with your children.....
ReplyDelete