Fruit, glorious fruit. We have it in abundance here. And please don’t hate me, but it’s either super cheap or free. It’s so bad, I mean it’s so good that the other day my husband was complaining that we had too many peaches, that people keep bringing us more and more delicious freshly picked peaches. I looked at him and told him that everyone should have such problems. I mean really. Eat them and shut up!

For the past couple of months we have had a friend of Sophia’s staying with us. She is more like family really. Her father is from our village and our families go as far back as anyone can remember. While she was here, she and Lana went with my niece to go picking blackberries. I have fond memories of picking blackberries with my friend Carlos and my cousin João Armando when I was a young girl, so I was thrilled that the girls were having the same experience.

 

Yesterday the kids and I drove to the edge of the village, yes, we’re lame, but there are no walking paths on the ‘outskirts’ of town so I thought it was best. We parked in our friend’s driveway and off we went.

 

This work isn’t for wimps. Within a few minutes my poor boy was in tears insisting that his wound would need ‘blood surgery.’ I told him to suck on his cut. No, I am not a doctor I just thought it might be a good distraction. That was not a good idea as it brought more tears. After a few hugs I chose to move on with picking. You might think that I am some cold-hearted mother because I chose to ignore his pain, but people, we are talking about fresh blackberries and it was only a flesh wound.

After a bit, he got right back into it. It wasn’t long before we felt we had enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a child who does not like many fruits the smile on her face indicates how happy she is to feast on these berries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The berries in this bowl did not last very long at all. If we want more we will be out again to pick the unripe ones we left on the vine. If you want some, you will have to come help us pick them on our next outing.

Telha artwork: Auntie Maria