we're (blackberry) jammin'

Our Bullpen Trail blackberry jam 

I've been working on my embroidery stitches...my first piece here; not too bad, eh?

Well, yesterday evening I was feeling so bummed about not being with Yann; It's kind of a form of torture to be separated from my new husband.  I really miss him sooo much and now I'm kind of kicking myself for not finding a way to head back to France earlier.  But it is what it is, ya know? So, we are counting down to days to our reunion. I think there are about 11 more days because I go back on August 3rd. I've been away from Marseille since June 2nd.  So, that is a total of about 65 days that I will have been gone from our home there.  However, Yann and I did get to meet up for the Honeymoon in Brazil, which is a whole-nutha' post in itself!  We got to spend 2 weeks together there, but still there is no place like home; home with the hubby.  

I was down, melancholy, and generally moody last night and for a good part of the morning today about all that.  But then I took Rascal hiking and seeing him let loose in the river chasing sticks made me feel joy.  I was totally living vicariously through him; a perfect dog day.  The only 'down' he felt all day was when he was stung on the top of his nose by a hornet.  It got all puffy and huge on the end of his snout.  He was terrified for about 10 minutes after that, because he had no idea what happened or where the pain originated from.  He stayed right by me, looking for protection.  It must be nice to be a dog, where you take each moment right as it comes at you.  Rascal never knows what is in store for him, where he may go for the day.  Maybe we'll take him hiking or maybe he lay around in the sun on the porch all day.  Either way though his day is great, as long as he stays away from wasp nests and rattle snakes.  And when he does experience pain, it's usually only physical, not emotional, and in five minutes after the initial pain subsides, all is forgotten and the day is full of beauty and bliss again. 

Well, unfortunately for us humans and it takes us a little longer to get over our blues.  And I finally got over mine after finding a giant stretch on the trail of sun-ripened blackberries.  We immediately went to town stuffing water bottles and hats full of the things.  We ended up with a gallon sized plastic bag of em' and each time we called it quits, we'd find another mother-load. As we called them, mother-loads. I like the sound of that for some reason.  Talk about getting over my 'blues', my hands are now completely stained dark blue/black in a weird spotty pattern that won't scrub off.  

Well, we came home and made wild blackberry jam and that definitely lifted my spirits, especially since the jam set up so firmly.  I hate nothing more than jam that don't never set up.  A beautiful black and chunky and seed-filled jam to make me a happy camper.  

Well, also I wanted to remind you that I'm going to be the big ol' 2-7 on July 29th! OMG!  Some people like to hide the fact that their birthdays are coming up; maybe they feel like they are too old or that they are embarassed with all the attention.  Me, I like to begin a nice birthday week of celebration before and after.  I also like to remind all my friends and tell lots of random store clerks and mail men that my birthday is coming soon.  I really can't explain why except that, as you read in a past post, my mom always threw killer b-day parties for us and we'd go around and promote the event to the kids in the neighborhood.  My birthday was in the summer and most of the kids were away on vacation with their families.  So, in order to reward those faithful friends who happened to be around in late July, we'd throw a real whopper of a party.  Clowns, pinatas, ice cream cake, ect...So, no biggie this year; just a small party at home and that's that! :) Hello, Year 27!

Also, we are in the process of putting my Asheville/Montford home on the market, so if you know anyone interested; it is a truly great house.  It was very well loved and taken care of.  You can see the description, pictures, and asking price of the house by going to:

www.ashevillebungalow.blogspot.com