Wild Blue
Ann had seen some wild grapes down the road, so we set off with a bucket and a sheet to spread under the vine to catch the ones that would fall when we pulled the vine or shook the tree it clung to. We got a few, but not enough for a batch of jam, and wandered toward home. But she'd left something, so we walked back to the spot.
I stood at the edge of the gravel road waiting for her, with nothing particular on my mind or in my gaze, when suddenly, not twenty feet from me, was the mother load of wild grapes we must have driven past two dozen times in the past month. A vine heavy with fruit had fallen from a little locust, and was suspended at shoulder height by the branches of some little sumacs, perfect for picking by the cluster. More were on a remaining branch of the vine in what remained of the little locust. We cut it the next day, collected the last of the grapes, and it was just exactly the right amount for batch of jam. The kitchen counter this morning holds a dozen dark purple half-pint jars arranged on a checkered dishtowel.
I wish I could hold this bowl up and let you smell. Life is good.
Comments
I made wild grape jam once It had so much natural pectin in it
you could have made armor from it!
Posted by: suzanne | September 18, 2005 8:03 AM
That looks wonderful just the way it is - and I love the pottery bowl!
Posted by: kenju | September 18, 2005 8:58 AM
Berry, berry nice....
Posted by: Carl | September 18, 2005 9:40 AM
load? Lode!
Posted by: Anita Rowland | September 18, 2005 11:44 AM
Lovely picture! Just right with the grapes, the lovely bowl, and the colorful leaves!
Posted by: Rachel | September 18, 2005 12:26 PM
:::Sniff, sniff:::
Ah.
I can imagine the aroma...yummmy. Fresh jam requires copious quantites of freshly baked bread or waffles to sample hot from the jam pot...to be sure it's not "off" before ya bottle it. ;^)
We made apricot preserves this year from a friend's tree...nuttin' better than homemade.
Posted by: BJ | September 18, 2005 1:57 PM
must be nice to pick so many grapes without having to steal from back yards and alleyways... not that I DO, exactly. I prefer the term "filch," because it makes the whole act seem more literary and quaint, almost honorable, Artful-Dodgeresque. Anyway, so far I ain't been chased by no dogs, and the pickin' is good this season, even if it IS just one or two at a time. Meanwhile, can't wait to try that jam. Mine never make it that far.
Posted by: nate | September 18, 2005 3:04 PM
This is the picture you want on the label of those home-made jams! You're living the good life.
Posted by: Raquel | September 18, 2005 5:44 PM
Are those muscadine grapes? Antioxidants galore! At least that's my excuse for keeping the red wine flowing. The bowl looks to be in the 16 Hands style. SWVA is looking to be richer than a Thomas Hardy novel. Enjoy!
Posted by: Jim | September 18, 2005 11:09 PM
Nice composition... Is that my son's pottery bowl that Ann mentioned last night?
Posted by: colleen | September 19, 2005 1:32 PM