Ice cream, Jam, and Tiramisu
“Making the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:16a).
The ubiquitous blackberry, which grows so prolifically along our roads, might be seen as the world’s tastiest weed. I have two favorite picking spots: one along the west edge of my property and the other along the east edge. I can pick up to half a gallon in about 30 minutes from them. Then my wife works her magic!
From these berries I have savored not only fresh-made blackberry jam (which is great on hot toast with butter), but also hand-cranked blackberry ice cream and her special recipe blackberry tiramisu. All I can say is YUM!
Oh, the sacrifices we make for things special. If only they were ripe and pickable in late October (like pumpkins). Then the multiple half-hour stints wouldn’t be so uncomfortable. I love the sun, but it sure does get hot in August! Picking isn’t fun.
Also, why do they have such sharp and abundant thorns? Almost every time I reach in to pick a berry, I must dodge a barb. Sometimes I try to lift a vine to find a better angle or to reach a covered cluster. In those cases, I’m rewarded with a painful prick or two. My hands always leave the battle with scars; bloodletting occurs. Picking is sometimes fraught with pain.
Understand, I am NOT complaining, just expressing the challenges that must be mastered. If picking blackberries is so off-putting, why do it? Come on! Have you ever tasted the jam? Can you imagine the flavor of that hand-cranked desert? Don’t even mention the tiramisu!
The fruit of the labor is worth every discomfort. I only wish the season lasted longer…so I could harvest more.
Two life-lessons subtlety shout from this experience. The berries are only ripe in August, and only for a short while. I must make time to pick on their schedule. If I wait till it’s cooler or till it’s convenient for me, I will miss the deliciousness that is temporarily available. You must always act when the time is right; it may be your only opportunity.
Also, thorns are part of the process. If I’m going to have the berries, I must fight the thorns, endure the pricks, and accept the bloodletting. Always push through the barriers to get to the reward; in this case, the sweet bounty.
Aren’t you glad God put berries for us to pick? I’m going for them!
Enjoy!
Rod