Today the berries were not as plentiful as before and not as plump and juicy. The mockingbird that usually fusses loudly as we pick was nowhere around, even though Bertha the cat lay boldly grooming herself beneath a barren bush. I haven't been sure whether the mockingbird was angry at us for picking his berries, or angry at Bertha just for being a cat. It seems maybe he/she was most upset with us for stealing his berries, though there were plenty for all of us.
We've been picking several times a week since mid-May. We've been able to share with friends, make cobblers, muffins, and two batches of jam, and still store about thirty-five quarts in the freezer. That's not counting eating them on cereal every morning and snacking on them freely.
For two folks in their eighties, one with leukemia/lymphoma and the other hobbling with a walker, we have a great number of blessings for which to be thankful. The blueberries, for instance, have been a delight in many ways.
We're thankful for the eight blueberry bushes planted and carefully cultivated by Charles when his health was robust. Now they are rewarding him for his husbandry. In times past, at the old house with other bushes, I was happy if I could pick enough berries for a pie. Now, always, we have to leave some for the mockingbirds. Charles usually picks a half gallon to my quart or so but I'm thrilled to be able to squeeze my walker into the thick of the harvest and pick until I can't.
I asked Charles if he had tips for other homeowners growing blueberries in their yard. He gave me the following: 1) Plant at least two varieties. Pollination will be better and you may extend your production season by having berries ripen at different times. 2) Bushes will not bear a significant number of berries for about three years. 3) You may need to test the soil for acidity. You can take a small sample to your county agent. 4)The agent may tell you more acidity or less is needed. You can add more with your fertilizer. 5) During dry seasons, water the bushes, especially in first year or two. 6) You can choose varieties whose leaves turn red in the fall--a beautiful extra!
We're thankful for the very beauty of the blueberries, both on the branches, in our buckets, and bubbling in a peach berry cobbler. I love the sound of berries hitting the bottoms of our buckets, but I like even better the absence of the pings as our buckets fill. I love the aroma of streusel blueberry muffins baking and the sheer joy of baking with a granddaughter.
I'm ever so thankful to God that in many ways Charles is better now than he was for blueberry season last year. We made the jam together, processing the berries in the blender, filling hot jars, and finally sitting back, tired and joyful, listening to the pops of the lids sealing.
Yes, we enjoyed blueberry season, but now that it's waning, I think we may be thankful not to hustle in the bushes so much. Maybe we can sit back and enjoy the sweet songs of the mockingbirds.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
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