Blackberry Fever | Chickens in the Road

Jul
31

I was just going to go out behind the barn and check the blackberry bushes. For a minute. I felt silly even bothering to bring a bucket. There didn’t seem to be that many berries left. I thought I’d wander around a bit. Then. Wow. There were more than I thought. It was almost worth bringing the bucket, after all. I started picking. Might as well at least get the easy ones.

Then there are always those berries that are just out of reach. The ones you’d never go get because it would mean too many scratches. But…. Next thing you know, I’m climbing inside a blackberry bush. And I can’t stop. I think about snakes, but I’m fearless in the face of ripe berries. I can’t stop. And it’s getting dark. Who cares? I can’t stop. If I let night fall without getting these berries, some ANIMAL will get them and I can’t let that happen. I MUST HAVE THEM. My hair, my wild hair, caught and tangled in briars and I don’t care. I can’t stop. I’m just ripping it out of my scalp climbing through bushes. Who needs hair? There are berries to be had!!

And I lose my shoe. In the middle of a blackberry bush I was climbing through to get around to the other side of the bush–because, of course, I could just barely in the dark see more berries over there. And you know they were the best ones ever–the hardest ones to get always are. Must. Have. Them. Who needs shoes?

And then it starts raining.

I found my shoe, in the middle of the briars, and went running.

And what did all this blackberry fever get me? One and one-third cups of blackberries.

Okay, I’m gonna have to try again tomorrow so I can have enough by this weekend to bake something. I could see there were more ready to ripen up soon. I’ll just go look. For a minute….. After I pick off this tick.

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15 Responses
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7-31
7:30
am

I guess you really like blackberries! :thumbsup:

Bonnie Ferguson -
7-31
7:56
am

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve picking blackberries with my mother. We crawled inside of every bush you can think of, and it was so much fun. Yum…

Michelle Willingham -
7-31
8:06
am

You sure know how to make ones mouth water! That sure brings back memories. Long time past memories when I was in the second grade I used to go hiking in the woods behind the house to pick those yummy black berries.

Tammy G. -
7-31
8:18
am

Wonderful post about your blackberry fever. Gave me a good chuckle this morning, and after sitting in the dentist’s chair for over an hour a short time ago, I needed it.

-Kim

Kim A. -
7-31
10:36
am

Isn’t it the truth, the biggest and best berries are always the hardest ones to reach. I loved your story! :thumbsup:

Susan -
7-31
12:37
pm

Picking blackberries was always one of my favorite things to do in the summer when I was younger, besides swimming of course. Just the thought of a hot cobbler in the evening to enjoy after dinner was always enough to motivate me to go pick. Hope everyone has a great day.

LeAnne :purr:

leanne -
7-31
1:11
pm

I love blackberries, reminds me of when I was little and used to go in the local lord’s fields with my granny :mrgreen:

Toni Anderson -
7-31
2:49
pm

I might think you had a ‘thing’ for blackberries… that’s okay, so do I…love them.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Shari C -
7-31
2:53
pm

Sounds as though you REALLY like blackberries. *g*
Good luck for the next time!

Have a wonderful day!

Brandy -
7-31
3:28
pm

Sounds like fun…except for losing the shoe bit. :thumbsup: Hope the berries ripen soon!

Lis -
7-31
4:27
pm

Apparently we had some bushes on our hillside but they all got weedwacked before I realized what they were

catslady -
7-31
6:51
pm

Isn’t it strange how berry feaver can get a hold of you? Do try to keep your shoes one tomorrow. :rockon:

Alice Audrey -
7-31
7:20
pm

“I’m fearless in the face of ripe berries”
:rotfl:

Marty -
7-31
10:19
pm

Suzanne… you are too funny! I don’t think those berries would make it to the weekend, I’m be gobbling them up!

Cole

Nicole Reising -
7-31
10:19
pm

It’s been too long since I’ve been blackberry picking! Good luck getting the rest of the ripening bunch!

April A -