Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for the Slice of Life Challenge.
I just got off the phone with my mother-in-law who asked me if I was bored yet. I laughed. Well, I did clean the grout on the bathroom floor. Does that mean I’m bored?
Actually, my summer list is long and growing. This morning I accomplished one of my goals, blueberry picking. I do this every year the week after school gets out because this is the time when the blueberries ripen. In 2014, I wrote a poem about this ritual that begins with…
Some things wear their becoming,
like this blueberry, for example,
plump and perfectly indigo
surrounded by pinky-red brothers and sisters,
it boasts to be chosen
falls easily into my palm
joyfully plinks the plastic bucket.See the rest of the poem here.
My friend Suzanne came along. She couldn’t believe she had never done this before. It was fun to share the joy of fresh blueberries with her. Here is the Facebook page for Bayou Blues Blueberry Farm.
A Painteresque view of me picking blueberries.
Blueberry sky
Kitchen brightened by fresh fruit and fresh flowers.
Slowing down, enjoying simple things, and savoring summer days. No, I’m not bored yet.
This was such a joy to read. I love you taking advantage of the blueberries and your summer. I feel so far from that time, but I know it’s only 2 1/2 weeks and I’ll be right where you are. Thank you for sharing. Plus–I love the line “Some things wear their becoming,”
That’s not my line. I lifted it from Mark Doty.
I’m a little envious, reading your Slice. Almost summer for me. You say it perfectly- slowing down, enjoying simple things and savoring summer days. Enjoy!
It doesn’t get any better than that! And no, there is no boredom in summer!
Always nice to be chipping away on the list of “to dos”, however this alliteration was my favorite – “Slowing down, enjoying simple things, and savoring summer days.”
You’ve motivated me to check out WHERE I can go picking fruit near me. And I am going to check out Painteresque. Thanks for naming it.
I’ve picked a lot of things, but not blueberries. Love the poem, and your Painting of you picking. I can’t imagine you would be bored. Even cleaning grout is something to relish when there’s so little time for things like that during the year. Enjoy this different kind of time, Margaret.
Yes! No boredom. Some things wear their becoming. I love that line too and I know you will NOT be bored. I remember blueberry picking in early summer and would you know it, I don’t like/eat blueberries so I had to keep giving mine away. Oh well… loved the Slice. Margaret.
Jealous! I still have several weeks of school to go but this slice made me long for those summer days and blueberries! I love that poem.., especially the first line!
I LOVE blueberries in the summertime! I’m sure you will keep busy; I cannot imagine ever being bored.
A little boredom would be a good thing, don’t you think?
I’m ready to pick blueberries, but our bushes are still just covered with flowers! I’m ready to be bored, especially if it means cleaning grout and picking blueberries. Your pictures are beautiful!
I can almost taste those luscious blueberries, Margaret. Be careful with that growing list, though! I have a terrible habit of making mine so unrealistic, then get upset when I don’t accomplish half of what I’d hoped to.
I know what you mean. I already have a goal for my writing that may be unrealistic with all the travel I have planned. I wish we were neighbors so I could share my blueberry crop.
Blueberry picking is on my summer list too, Margaret. They won’t be ripe here until July. I hadn’t gone in many years, but took my niece last summer. Going back to reread your poem now.
Blueberries grow in Louisiana? That surprises this New Englander!
Bored is a wonderful state of being for any writer, especially just a few days after the end of a school year. Big wide open spaces.