The Seduction Of Black Raspberries....

Mother nature is so Cruel...

The berries have been an evil Trap from Mother nature lately.   Allow me to explain...  Mother Nature is NOT our friend.   Sure, she offers stunning sights, breathtaking views, refreshing water from mountain streams, and tasty Black Raspberries along your bike trail.  What is so bad about that?

Kind of a burning, itchy sensation...

Have I mentioned Cheryl and I got a serious case of Poison Ivy?    Despite having a specific soap that cuts the Poison Ivy oil from your skin, we both look like we walked through Flaming Barbed wire!  Cheryl offered to pose for a picture for the blog, but then thought it would gross people out.  Or terrorize them!  Either way,  we have been battling the itchy legs ever since Sunday.

Look at the Berries! 

But.... The berries!  They are so big and plump and delicious.  And Cheryl has been making this killer Turnovers with them.   And since they are only out for a little while longer, passing them by seems like a crime!  We have seen other people harvesting them on the other side of West Chester,  But they have not found/discovered this area...yet!

We said we would only harvest the ones that we could reach from the path.  If there were any just out of reach, we would skip them....   But if you have ever picked Berries for yourself, you will understand that almost ALL of the good berries are "just out of reach". 

And that is how She gets ya!

So, like quick sand, tar pits, and Deep Sea Angler fish,   Mother Nature seduces you to dip your toe into the thorns...just a little bit.   You see no Poison Ivy here, right?   Just a little toe, a few extra inches,  and  "POOF!"  You are consumed!   Deep into the thorns,  you struggle to find a way out, but the harder you struggle,  the deeper you are pulled in.

On the bright side, we did manage to find a LOT of very big and juicy Raspberries.  The Constant rain we have been having this week must have helped them out a great deal.  Cheryl originally wanted to go for only the Golden Raspberries and leave the Black ones alone.   I don't know why.  Maybe "Black Raspberries Matter?"   But I'm color blind when it comes to Berries..  which, if you think about it,  is kind of a disadvantage. 

I only see Red, White, and
Blue!

All Berries Matter!
And taste delicious!

Is it too early for Race/Color/Berry jokes?   I know there are still riots going on, but I would like to think that most people who read this blog will understand the humor.   Or at least will not be offended.  Honestly,  I thought about that one after spending an hour in the hot Sun, picking the berries..  in the thorns, and the bugs, and the stinging nettle and probable poison ivy....  At some point, you have to laugh at the futility of life or something!  Life is very mean.

Showing  Patriotism by GRILLIN'!

So there is a a very good chance that Cheryl and I got another round of Poison Ivy for about three lbs of Black and Golden Raspberries.  Tomorrow is the 4th of July and there will not be fireworks or a Parade here in Wellman... IOWA!   Wellman Iowa is Officially in the middle of nowhere.. and Summer is not the favored time for the Covid thingy.    So...Another American Holiday has bit the dust in this election year.    I'm seeing a pattern here.    I almost feel like Grilling outside just to show I do not believe!   Even though I have never grilled out on the 4th of July!