No, no, not the communication kind you see in everyone’s hands these days but the kind you eat.  Remember those? 

Blackberries, I love ‘em.  So, when I saw the cartons of fresh picked fruit for sale at the Farmer’s Market today, I just had to have some, and reminisce for awhile.

My memories take me back to my youth, growing up on the mill yard.  Among the many delights for a wandering child, there was a huge blackberry patch up on the hill.  Away from the hubbub of day to day activity at the lumber mill, I can see my small self safe and happy, finding and picking the ripest and juiciest berries to enjoy with my family at supper.  I remember picking from that patch for several years.

In those days I knew that soon after school was out I should start checking the vines.  For weeks I watched as the berries formed and grew larger until they were ready.  On picking day I would don a long sleeve shirt, long pants, and a hat for protection against sun and thorns.  Mother would lend me her biggest mop bucket and off I’d go. 

It might take hours to fill that bucket because only the blackest of the blackberries would do so right there in that patch is where I’d spend a busy morning.  When I saw the workman heading for the shady areas under the trees, I knew it was lunchtime and I’d better get home.  Mother was always glad to see that I hadn’t been bitten by a snake and that the bucket had been put to good use.

After lunch we would clean those berries together, throwing away the little green tops and any bugs or debris that had made it’s way into my pail.  She’d separate out enough berries for a cobbler, put those into the refrigerator and the rest went into a bag in the freezer for me.

Summer afternoons were usually spent swimming in the river so it would be hours before Mother would again turn her attention to the luscious fruit.  Late afternoon she’d take out the berries and dump them into a glass pan.  Then she’d mix the batter and roll it out over the top.  This concoction would be put into the oven to cook while she put together the other ingredients for supper.

Later when daddy came home from work, everything would be ready.  The table was set with a tasty meal and when we’d finished there was fresh baked (and still hot) blackberry cobbler with a side of ice cream.  I’ll always remember the smile on daddy’s as he particularly enjoyed his bowl, making sure that I knew – blackberry cobbler was just about his favorite thing in the whole world.

Oh, and the bag in the freezer?  I really love blackberries with my morning cereal and mother knew I could stretch that small bag of berries for quite some time.  This way, the berry picker was happy during and after berry-picking time.

I can’t believe it!  I just saw it but I can’t believe it!  There, parked outside a popular eating place was a black car with the windows rolled up and the cutest little white dog locked inside.  It’s close to 100 degrees outside.

How many warnings have to be put on radio and television for people to understand the danger?  I wanted to grab something and break the window.  Who would go to jail, me, the concerned citizen? or whoever brought that sweet pet along for possibly his last ride?  Believe me, if it had been a child I would not have hesitated.

I was blessed, when my children were small, that my mother lived in town.  I simply dropped the kids off to play with her while I went to the store and ran other errands.  The dogs and cats stayed home where they belonged.

How many summer events have you been to and there are people with their dogs on leashes?  These poor animals are expected to behave perfectly while having to stand or sit on hot pavement with not so much as a cup of water.  To me, that qualifies as cruelty.

And what about the parent/s that are pushing strollers and hot, fussy babies around a theme park, zoo or other all day ‘fun’ place.  Most of us don’t remember much of anything before our third or fourth birthday so just what is the point?  Everyone is miserable – especially that older brother or sister that can’t really enjoy being there because the baby is crying, needs changing or whatever.  For goodness sake, find a sitter and leave that littlest one at home – everyone will be much happier.

Please, please promise me that you will keep your helpless ones safe this summer.  If you have to take them with you to run errands then go early in the day while it is still somewhat cool.  Plan your route and what you’ll do at each stop so that no time is wasted.  Watch your kids closely around pools and other dangers and help them to have the best time possible.

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This website is for all of the devotees of the all-powerful Xena the Warrior Princess. The information in the articles will certainly be of help to folks who need answers to burning questions such as where are the Amazons really from or who are Xena’s enemies. The input seems well written and obviously comes from an aficionado of the tale of the warrior princess. This analysis concerns the powers and weapons that are utilized by Xena in her quest for domination over her foes. Although the princess has many powers and weapons her, most prized weapon is the “chakrum.” To learn more about Xena’s powers please visit www.xenaswarrior.com.

A healthy brain is maybe the most important part of the human body. It is the part that causes all other parts to function and makes the wheels move (so to speak). The brain tells our feet to move and they move. Without a brain, you would be nothing more than a shell.

If you keep your brain healthy, you can enjoy life and all that it has to offer. A healthy brain is active, in the sense that it is always thinking of new and better things. You will not allow any negativity to enter your thoughts because it is destructive.

Since the brain makes the entire body work, it is important not to allow any unhealthy or damaging things that could hinder proper functioning. You need this brain to keep you active and attentive so that you can do the things need. You will want to make sure that you are giving it enough exercise, by learning new things that will help you to improve your life, as well as your body. Some people think that your heart is what leads you to do things or become what you are. This is not entirely true, although the heart may play a role in the outcome, it is the brain that gives you the thought. You are what you think, so be careful what you think. Be careful what you read and put into your mind. It has been said that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and that is so true.

http://www.retiredseniorsnetwork.com/blog/2009/03/25/baby-boomers.html

This website’s information is aimed toward those in society who are tagged as the generation known as baby boomers. The commentary critiques generational input that concerns issues such as reverse mortgages to gray googlers. This particular piece of writing takes on the ideals and changes of what actually defines the generation that’s numbers are put at some 78 million folks. This includes the Vietnam anti-war movement, the musical sounds of rock and roll, the group’s educational values, the women’s cultural movement, and the experimentation with drugs. A great website to explore both boomer history, and the issues boomers face in today’s world. To learn more please visit the retiredseniorsnetwork.com.