Marionberry Thumbs

Big black "thumb"

I always pick the "thumbs" first. They see to it.  They are always the first ones to get ripe.

It's marionberry time of year. Just as the raspberries start to wain, right around the Fourth of July, you can count on green nubbins expanding and turning red, and small red berries growing FAT and plump and black.  Always the first berry to ripen at the end of baring stem of about six or seven fruits is the short one in the middle.  Always.

Ready to pick

Naming the short berry digit "thumb" was one of the Things I get to do today while picking berries.  After the thumb is picked, the other berries ripen quickly, though I'm sure it has nothing to do with the removal of the fruit.

Green nubbins turning red, then turning black

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make a cobbler like I promised a few months back in "Buzzing Berries." Stop by for dessert if you're in the area tonight.

Buzzing Berries

They're good fresh. They're even better in cobbler.  I've made a deal with my neighbor's honeybee colony:  they make the marionberries, and I'll make the dessert.

Honeybee berry builder

My little heart skipped and danced thinking about Things I get to do today that will soon include picking marionberries.  These glorious, winged, buzzing sweethearts reminded me that the process was well underway.  Big bumble bees of some sort were assisting. Interesting to see how they shared duties:  the bumbles worked only the barely-open blossoms, while the honeys liked the extended-petal versions.  They've got it covered.

Sweet assistance

I'll make sure I have my vanilla ice cream recipe chilled for along side the steaming, golden, berry-bubbling dessert.  We're inviting guests.  Sign up now.