My mother was a farm wife and a prodigious canner. She canned fruit and vegetables from the garden, even occasionally meat. But the best thing that she canned, in my opinion, was blackberry jam. Even as I type those words my mouth waters! Of course, before she could make that jam, somebody had to pick the blackberries. And that somebody was quite often named Dorothy. I think Seamus Heaney might have spent some time among the briars plucking those delicious black fruits as well, so he would have known that "Once off the bush the fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour." They don't keep; you have to get that jam made in a hurry! Blackberry-Picking by Seamus Heaney Late August, given heavy rain and sun For a full week, the blackberries would ripen. At first, just one, a glossy purple clot Among others, red, green, hard as a knot. You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust ...
Not half as much as we appreciate you, Dorothy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, David.
DeleteWe will eagerly await your return, Dorothy. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alana.
DeleteI'm glad you will get to enjoy time with your out-of-town guests. I look forward to seeing what you post when you return.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb.
DeleteI hope you enjoy your company .... and we will wait till you get back.
ReplyDeleteCheck back later this week!
DeleteEnjoy time spent with your out-of-town guests!!
ReplyDeleteI have! Thank you.
DeleteEnjoy your time with friends/family!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your return...perhaps this weekend?
ReplyDelete