It's been a busy week here in rural Indiana. Besides my usual yard and garden work (not to mention the house), I added a few chores--some pleasant, some not so--to my list.

I finally got around to washing and waxing my truck. Not so much fun. I've started washing house windows. Really not fun. I'm also working on repairing my brick driveway. Hard on the knees.

But a good chore this week was picking 27 lbs. of blueberries from a farm down the road! I love blueberries! I also picked blackberries from two wild patches I know about. My freezer is loading up, and I haven't even started with garden veggies.

The only bad thing this past week was my running over my only cat while backing out of the driveway. He simply didn't get out of the way, and I didn't see him. But, it's for the best. He was old (15+) and sickly. I hadn't had the nerve to have him "put to sleep". I buried him unceremoniously in the field. I keep looking for him to greet me from out of his secret hiding place. No more cats. The mice will proliferate.

Have a good weekend, my friends.

Comments:

comment by tealstar on July 23, 2008 5:21 AM ()

I bond with humans better, although my two ex-wives might not agree.

reply by solitaire on July 26, 2008 5:48 AM ()

Sorry to hear about your kitty, I've done that several times, it happens when you have tons of them and they are everywhere. I love blackberries...as a kid we had a huge bush behind our house and I loved to pick them...and then had to fight the chiggers..

comment by elfie33 on July 21, 2008 1:58 PM ()

Blueberries are so nice and easy to pick. Blackberries, on the other hand are....well, you know. Thanks for dropping by. I've been too busy to read your's and others lately. Wait 'til winter!

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 5:07 PM ()

Awww, poor kitty. But now he is frolicking in milk fields in kitty heaven. Fresh blueberries! YUM! I wish I had some!

comment by jennrud on July 20, 2008 10:38 PM ()

Nice thought. I was wondering what the cost of 27 lbs of blueberries would be in the supermarket. Never noticed. I'll share, if you want to drive over a couple of states.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 5:03 PM ()

Wow, your blueberries come in a lot earlier than ours. I'm going to pick raspberries this year for the first time since my son was a toddler. Yum! They are ready now. It will be at least another month before blueberries would be good picking. I always used to go with my grandma Hilda, and she could outpick me even when she was 90!
Sorry to hear about Pooky. I know how hard it is to put them down.

comment by catdancer on July 19, 2008 4:49 PM ()

When you live "down South", ...... I think I've mentioned about taking the kids up to Warren Dunes every summer to play and pick blueberries. Now I drive only 10 minutes!
Thanks for the thought on Pooky.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 5:00 PM ()

I'm doing chores like crazy here too. Sorry about your cat.
I sure wish I had blueberries and blackberries here! I'd be making jam and sauce and juice and fruit leather! I have strawberries now, and I'm fighting the robins to keep the Saskatoons and Red Currents.

comment by imaginaryfriend on July 19, 2008 3:52 PM ()

There's a new one for me--Saskatoons. I don't have much trouble with birds, just Japanese Beetles. And mosquitos, poison ivy, thorns, etc.!

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:57 PM ()

Sooooooo sad about your cat, Randy.... I think you should embrace life and get another kitty or two to greet you at the door and fill your lap and capture your mousies. So many wonderful animals in shelters await loving homes. Like yours!

I share your love of blueberries! Do you have a favorite recipe? Hmmm.... Maybe I should whip up a batch of blueberry pancakes tomorrow morning to enjoy while I watch the British Open. An excellent idea!!
Go Greg Norman!

comment by marta on July 19, 2008 1:09 PM ()

Everybody wants me to get a replacement cat! The answer is NO. I won't go into reasons because I'm afraid I'll offend all the cat lovers out there.
I was trying to think of a favorite blueberry dish, but can't--too many. I simply like them plain on cereal or with yogurt. I'll use them in a variety of ways. I'm willing to share, too.
I was rooting for Greg, but I like Padraig--he smiles a lot. Too bad about Michelle Wie forgetting to sign her score card (DQ'd).

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:54 PM ()

comment by tealstar on July 19, 2008 10:54 AM ()

When I told my youngest daughter, I thought she was going to cry. She knew him the longest. I'm over it already.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:44 PM ()

Sad about the cat, but may I invite myself over for some fresh blueberries? They are definitely one of my favorites.

comment by dragonflyby on July 19, 2008 10:28 AM ()

Yeah, the blueberries assuaged my feelings about losing a cat. Come on up--I've aplenty.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:46 PM ()

That's tough about the cat...I had a similar incident once with an automatic garage door. Get yourself another mouser, maybe two so they can keep each other company.

comment by looserobes on July 19, 2008 10:06 AM ()

Again, I'm done with cats. I've lost so many over the years. Never say never, though.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:41 PM ()

Awww... so sorry about that Randy.
Do you think you'll get another pet?

comment by shesaidwhat on July 19, 2008 8:32 AM ()

No. See my reply to Elderjane below.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:38 PM ()

Get yourself another cat. Nothing heals a loss like a fiesty kitten or puppy.

comment by elderjane on July 19, 2008 7:35 AM ()

No no no (more cats). My "wild" rabbits, moles, toads, and goldfish is enough. Oh, I still have Lucy, my dog.

reply by solitaire on July 21, 2008 4:36 PM ()