There are always things about the boys moving to the next phase that I don’t anticipate. There was a time that I thought I would never again sleep until I awoke on my own. Then one day I opened my eyes and realized that the only thing that disturbed my slumber was my own whirring mind.
This summer they have all reached a liberating level of independence. There is still plenty of “will you?” But instead of “Will you play Candyland?” it is “Will you pick up (insert name of friend) so we can go (do anything more fun than being here)?” And, of course, the oldest is driving, which I thought would be terrifying but is also the most incredible relief.
Which leaves me time to contemplate important things like berries. Berries are another item on the long list of “Reasons I Love Summer.” I usually have a bowl in the morning with my coffee and the paper, delighted at the idea that they are “healthy” and satisfy my nearly insatiable sweet tooth. Blackberries deliver a unique thrill as my mother forbade me to eat the ones that grew over our wall when I was a girl; it made them better then and it makes them better now.
As I eat alone, before the rest of the pack is awake, I’m not bound to set a good example and I’ve abandoned the spoon. I eat them with my fingers. Dewey and cool, I select the perfect combinations by feeling their shapes in the bowl while reading about the news of the day. It must be the color that attracts because the skin gives no hint of the flavor; there is no satisfaction until you bite. And each day I think, “Apple, shmapple, hardly tempting at all.” Berries are the most sensuous fruit.
Hi Patricia, Yes, berries and melons in summer…and that touch of freedom when at least one is driving….Pure Luxury.
Have a wonderful summer.
Mary
I'm with you on this: summer berries beat other fruit hands-down, mulberries beat other berries, and white mulberries beat out everything.
Like you, I eat them with my fingers, but I don't even bother with a bowl: I eat them straight off the tree. Of course, it's not my tree, but mulberry branches grow heavy & low so it's easy to stand in the public way and eat my fill–or, at least, eat until I've stripped every branch within reach, and been pointed out as the crazy man by passersby. You know what I say to that: Oh, well. It's worth it.
A lot of people don't like mulberry trees because they say they're messy, and those people get no argument from me: the soles of most of my white bucks are stained from fallen berries and back before I got rid of my car, its white paint was always splotched with purple bird poop this time of year, but those are minor issues. The taste is the thing–for the next three weeks.
I appreciate this post so much, it puts into words what I have been experiencing this summer. My oldest has her permit, and will be driving on her own soon; for the first time all three of my girls will be going to camp at the same time, in the same place…for a month! I know it will pass in the blink of an eye (as the past 15 years seemed to have passed). I plan to enjoy every minute, knowing that they will be reveling in their little taste of freedom and adventure, and will be returning to the nest with a little more independence.
Holly
I must say I just found your blog and it's really refreshing… Some of the topics I really relate too!
By the way I think you write beautifully!
Have a lovely summer!
Gail
Visit me too if you like.
!http://www.casualloveselegance.blogspot.com