The one that got away!

[Fishbone†]

There I was, minding my own business at the edge of a rather large patch of blackberries. The little berries I was picking and dropping into my bucket were making that really cool "tink" sound on the bottom of my pail..... I love that sound!!! I picked up a branch to clean it of berries, and THERE IT WAS!!! Just inches from me, encased in a halo of light that sort of shimmered around it..... so ripe and so beautiful, the segments like to burst they were so big and juicy.... it was the most magnificent blackberry I've ever seen.... big as a watermelon for sure!!! You could almost taste the sweet juice just looking at it. I HAD to have it!!! I'd be the talk of pickers (my dad and I)..... I'd be the hero..... the trophy holder..... the picker of the week, maybe even the year!!! MVP (Most Valuable Picker)!! I could hardly wait to show him!!! I set my bucket down and reach through the wall of thorns towards the jewel. The tips of my fingers just graze the leaf in front of it..... OH .... Just ....one ......more ......inch ......and ......argh!!! Can't quite get it. I readjust, crawl a little closer scratching my face on the branches, wriggle myself into a semi-comfortable (okay, barely tolerable) position, and go for the gold. Just as I reach out, a mosquito lands on my nose.....doggone it!! I shake my head to deter him.... I succeed...... I look up to resume my mission.... !!!! IT'S GONE!!!! VANISHED!!! The gold has been ripped from hands!!!! I wonder for a moment if it was just a mirage.... I am convinced the mosquito and the berry co-conspired against me..... *sigh*. My whole being deflates. My dreams of being the best in the world are shattered.... I hang my head, admit defeat and move on to the next bush..... but next time I will not lose..... I know the game plan now, and I will set up my defense accordingly.

 

[debster812]

Heidi,

Were you wearing a hat today in the hot sun??? I think you got a little fried!

D

 

[Fishbone†]

Hmmmm..... No, I wasn't, and it was not hot in MN today, rather a little chilly, AND I'll try not to be insulted by that.

See guys..... I told you she was a mean one!

 

[debster812]

Heidi,

I am simply concerned about you, that's all. Wanted to make sure that you were feeling OK after a full day stalking and trapping the berries.

*sigh* try to show a little compassion, and see where it gets you...

 

[#1 Disney Fan]

Heidi, your posts are the greatest... always make me smile.

Sorry that the big one got away! At least you got a good story out of it! I went berry picking yesterday (raspberries) and fought off the mosquitoes along with other insects and things that moved, or even just things that *looked* like they were insects or things that moved, LOL, so I can imagine it perfectly!

 

[Goofyposter]

Groosch Heidi! I hate ter break ter bad news too yer
...but I jurst got a call from...Ranger Woodlore...

Apparently...that blackberry patch yer were pick'in on...was on Park Land!!

Ranager Woodlore rec'd a complaint from (who else...)

...but Humphrey!!

Ranager Woodlore assured Humphrey it had all been a misteak...but I thought yer should knoe.

 

[Dream]

Um....fish? Ya know those nasty mosquitos can carry some pretty wicked diseases. Anybody know if delerium is an early sign of West Nile disease?!?! Anybody live close enough to fish to go check on her? She's seeing watermelon sized blackberries!!!

 

[Fishbone†]

Hey Dream:

!

 

[browneyes]

Um, y'all don't make blackberry wine, do you?

 

[Fishbone†]

No, actually we made 75 pints of jelly yesterday with them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

VERY, funny story, fish. Thanks.

 

[Dream]

75 pints?!?!? Fish, you have been a busy blackberry picker!!

 

[debster812]

Are you gonna send me some?????

Please please please

 

[cotye]

Wow, didn't know berry picking could be so suspenseful. LOL!!!