Berry Picking

We planted a big garden this year.  It was pretty much a dismal flop. At this point in the season when everyone is reaping what they sowed and we still have 2 inch tall seedlings, I pessimistically feel like it was a big waste of time and money, though we had a lot of fun with it.  I guess that counts for something.  To confess, I am very, very disappointed.  But, we will try again next year.

One crop that never disappoints is blackberries.  The three of us and our dog Trin spent an hour outside on Friday, picking the first ripe berries of the season.  Dallas whacked branches so we could get to the really big berries that were just out of reach.  Trinity ran through the fields and chased the pesky wabbit that haunts these bushes.  Darby held my big silver colander and I picked.  I would pluck a berry, toss it into the bowl and hear Darby say, "thank you Mama, mm num, num."  Turning around, I saw my girl plopped down on the grass, colander on her lap, plastered in blackberry juice.  Her little blonde pigtails were haloed against the late afternoon sun and the tall grass behind her waved in the wind.  The moment was beautiful and for a split second I thought about running and grabbing my camera.  But I knew I would miss the magic if I left so I saved the picture she made in head.  It's a memory just for me.

It took some convincing to get her to realize not all of the berries were for her consumption.  I bribed her with the promise of pie baking for her beloved Papa.  "Papa wuvs pies!  I make papa a bwackbehwie pie!" she repeated proudly.  And then she wanted to pick the berries herself.  My over protective mama instincts kicked in and I wanted to swat her away from the sharp thorns and the stinging nettles that lace our blackberry bushes.  She looked at me and said, "I DO it Mama!"  And she did.  I still pointed out the stinging nettles and did my best to move them when I could.  But she deftly wove her tiny fists through the tangles and plucked juicy berries, (and some hard red ones too), all by herself.  And boy, was she proud.  "I DID IT!"  It's her new refrain these days, and I love it.  I have a feeling this will not be the last time my child will surprise me with just how capable she is.

The summer season is going quickly and my girl is keeping up with it.