Do they grow wild in your area? When we moved to the coast we were surrounded by fresh fruit growing everywhere. For the first time in all of our lives. We all went a little berserk with fruit Our back yard had cherry, pear,plum, and apple trees, with blackberries everywhere.1/5

No one went more wild than Mom. She coerced me to pick both Evergreen and Himalaya blackberries every summer. We plucked gallons and gallons to eat, to make pies, juice, and freeze. Picking those darn blackberries was a sweaty, dusty, and painful task. 2/5

At first blush, it was pretty easy. BUT when the low hanging fruit was gone, their thorns exacted revenge. “I have a solution,” she said. “March back out there. Take this wood plank; lay it across the bush to protect your arm and use this rake to pull the branches down.You’ll be fine,” she said. 3/5

Fresh bear scat along the path or in the pasture? “No problem, young lady. Take this dinner bell to scare them away.” 4/5

She was a stern boss when it came to acquiring more fruit. “But there are so many huge flies and wasps out there, Mom. Please don’t make me!” Mom to me,”You’ll thank me later when we eat the fruit.” And I did. 5/5