Dewberries and Dandelions
One woman's respite from Social Isolation.34 total reviews
Comment from Thomas Bowling
I grew up on a farm. Our house was set back from the road giving us a two acre front yard. Every spring, we watched cars pull over and people get out to gather dandelions. I always wondered what they did with them.
reply by the author on 01-May-2020
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I grew up on a farm. Our house was set back from the road giving us a two acre front yard. Every spring, we watched cars pull over and people get out to gather dandelions. I always wondered what they did with them.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 01-May-2020
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That?s funny, because I?ve never heard of doing it before. I felt a little foolish, but then a neighbor drove by and invited me to pick them in her pasture. She makes jelly from them. Lol, I felt a bit like a ?flower child?.
Comment from samandlancelot
Rhonda,
I enjoyed going with you on your adventure and discoveries. My dad used to make dandelion wine when I was young.
I liked that you overcame the drawback of isolation and turned it into something good.
Excellent writing.
Patricia
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Rhonda,
I enjoyed going with you on your adventure and discoveries. My dad used to make dandelion wine when I was young.
I liked that you overcame the drawback of isolation and turned it into something good.
Excellent writing.
Patricia
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Oh wow, Patricia, you?re the first person I know who has heard of dandelion wine before. I was doing it for a challenge, but I do hope it?ll turn out good.
Thanks so much for the review!
Take care,
Rhonda
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I enjoyed reading your article, Rhonda. It is well-organized and interesting. I could see you out in your garden working and staring at the cumber plants.
I know what dewberries are from my time spent at my grandparents home in Houston. Grammy made the BEST dewberry cobbler with them. I did not know they were also called blackberries. The ones I'm speaking of were wild.
I've never eaten/drank anything made from dandelions.
Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I enjoyed reading your article, Rhonda. It is well-organized and interesting. I could see you out in your garden working and staring at the cumber plants.
I know what dewberries are from my time spent at my grandparents home in Houston. Grammy made the BEST dewberry cobbler with them. I did not know they were also called blackberries. The ones I'm speaking of were wild.
I've never eaten/drank anything made from dandelions.
Thanks for sharing. Stay safe.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Hi Jan,
Dewberries are all over Houston, which is where I grew up. Picking the berries was a state pastime.
I've never had dandelions before, but have heard of eating them and making jellies and wine from them even before my class. I decided, what the heck, I'm bored and there are plenty of them out there (were anyway).
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Rhonda
Comment from Sally Law
You did a great job with this one, Rhonda dear. You left me hungry for activities, company, and nature. I've had the virus and I'm near blind, so to say I need to get out more is an understatement. My husband has been walking with me in the evening, but no berries to be had. Your day sounded lovely, and wished I had been there for all the food and fun.
Sending you my best today as always, and best wishes in our writing endeavors,
Sally xoxo
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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You did a great job with this one, Rhonda dear. You left me hungry for activities, company, and nature. I've had the virus and I'm near blind, so to say I need to get out more is an understatement. My husband has been walking with me in the evening, but no berries to be had. Your day sounded lovely, and wished I had been there for all the food and fun.
Sending you my best today as always, and best wishes in our writing endeavors,
Sally xoxo
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Oh Sally, I'm so sorry to hear you've gotten the dreaded bug. I will be praying for you. Is it the virus that's made you nearly blind? Hopefully it will disappear with the other symptoms.
I'd send you some of the berries if I could, or some jelly. Hang in there!
Rhonda (((((Sally)))))
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No, I have a rare genetic blindness, retinitis pigmentosa. I started going blind eleven years ago at 54. The virus was mild but lasted a little over two weeks. I still own my family's business and it has been closed for three weeks. We reopen next week hopefully. It's been difficult on many fronts for me right now. I do have a loving husband though, and four beautiful grandkids I'm away from right now. I write and try to keep positive by encouraging others. XO!!
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You gave encouraged me!!
Grandkids are wonderful, aren?t they? And your husband is a blessing.
Good luck getting the business back in gear!
Comment from Shirley McLain
I loved your story. I love good blackberry wine and cobbler. Nothing any finer. I've never tried Dandelion. What does it taste like? Have a great evening. Stay well. Shirley
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I loved your story. I love good blackberry wine and cobbler. Nothing any finer. I've never tried Dandelion. What does it taste like? Have a great evening. Stay well. Shirley
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Hi Shirley. I don't know what it tastes like, yet. I just picked them this morning, and plan to get some more tomorrow, then I'll put them on, though it will take about 6 weeks to get the results, lol.
Comment from robyn corum
Rhonda,
What a nice article. My MIL is a Master Gardener. *smile* She has a fabulous green thumb -- which some of the rest of us have no hope of, regardless of how we may try. haha
If you have one of those green thumbs (or two, I suppose!) not only am I extremely jealous, but I am HORRENDOUSLY JEALOUS! haha
Some notes, if I may?
1.) willing them to produce so you can make pickles. I needed more.
--> like watching a pot to get it boiling! hahaha The WORST is tomatoes. OMS, it can almost make me lose my religion -waiting on the very FIRST fresh, ripe homegrown tomato of the season. hahaha
--> BUT -- when you say 'I needed more' do you mean more patience, more cucumber/pickle plants? Or do you mean more to DO? If the latter, that certainly is not clear.
2.) more even than the exercise I so desperately needed, but it gave me a great sense of connection, not with other people so much, but with nature itself.
--> more even than the exercise I so desperately needed(. I)t gave me a great sense of connection, not with other people so much, but with nature itself.
That's it. I hope this may help a little. I was entertained and pleased - I'm sure others will be, too. Thanks a lot!
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Rhonda,
What a nice article. My MIL is a Master Gardener. *smile* She has a fabulous green thumb -- which some of the rest of us have no hope of, regardless of how we may try. haha
If you have one of those green thumbs (or two, I suppose!) not only am I extremely jealous, but I am HORRENDOUSLY JEALOUS! haha
Some notes, if I may?
1.) willing them to produce so you can make pickles. I needed more.
--> like watching a pot to get it boiling! hahaha The WORST is tomatoes. OMS, it can almost make me lose my religion -waiting on the very FIRST fresh, ripe homegrown tomato of the season. hahaha
--> BUT -- when you say 'I needed more' do you mean more patience, more cucumber/pickle plants? Or do you mean more to DO? If the latter, that certainly is not clear.
2.) more even than the exercise I so desperately needed, but it gave me a great sense of connection, not with other people so much, but with nature itself.
--> more even than the exercise I so desperately needed(. I)t gave me a great sense of connection, not with other people so much, but with nature itself.
That's it. I hope this may help a little. I was entertained and pleased - I'm sure others will be, too. Thanks a lot!
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Hi Robyn,
Thanks for the super review! You words were helpful and fun. I went back and made the changes you suggested, and I think it sounds better now. I do appreciate it.
Yeah, tomatoes are frustrating too. It seems like you wait forever for them then you have so many you can't find friends enough to give them to. But, boy, are they worth it all!!
I've never really had time to be a Master Gardener before, but I've heard so much about it. Now, we are too confined to be able to do everything we are supposed to. Still, we try to keep in touch with each other and our teachers. I know, this too in time shall pass.
I hereby share my green thumb with you! Poof, you can grow what you want! Lol, thanks again,
Rhonda
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Welcome!
Comment from w.j.debi
What excellent activities to be involved in. It is amazing how being out in nature, even though alone, you not alone. The plants and the animals have a spirit about them that lets you know you are welcome.
Good for you for being so productive and using your valuable time to create good things in several ways.
Thank you for sharing you uplifting essay.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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What excellent activities to be involved in. It is amazing how being out in nature, even though alone, you not alone. The plants and the animals have a spirit about them that lets you know you are welcome.
Good for you for being so productive and using your valuable time to create good things in several ways.
Thank you for sharing you uplifting essay.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thank you for the lovely review! I?ve had a lot of fun with the goodies I?ve been collecting. I hope I don?t forget the lessons when things go back to ?normal?.
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I agree. I am grateful for the free time to do so many things I've put off because I didn't have time. Silly me.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for sharing what you have been up to, Rhonda! Congratulations on your retirement! And congratulations again on your new Master Gardenership! Enjoyed your humor-spiced post! How does dandelion wine taste?
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thank you for sharing what you have been up to, Rhonda! Congratulations on your retirement! And congratulations again on your new Master Gardenership! Enjoyed your humor-spiced post! How does dandelion wine taste?
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thank you for the wonderful review, my friend! You know, I have no idea what the wine tastes like, but have a feeling I?ll know in about 6 weeks, lol. I haven?t made it yet, but I?ve heard it?s good.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I enjoyed reading. It was informative and humorous. A perfect combination. (I think) This article was well written. I am glad you've an interesting and fun way to spend your social distancing time. Mine is spent attempting to teach first graders remotely. LOL
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I enjoyed reading. It was informative and humorous. A perfect combination. (I think) This article was well written. I am glad you've an interesting and fun way to spend your social distancing time. Mine is spent attempting to teach first graders remotely. LOL
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thanks for the review. We are all trying to keep busy.
How is your job coming along?
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It's going. It's not hard, but many of my students don't have access to technology.
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That's a shame. In our area, they provided at least one device per household, and equipped buses with mobile hotspots to park around town.
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We're a huge district. 5 high schools, 13 middle schools and 38 elementary. The high school and the middle schools got the equipment. I happen to teach at an extremely low income school. We're low on the totem pole.
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Oh wow! That is a huge district. We have a grand total of one high school. I'm sorry you're having such issues. My grandson is living in Reno, and I had to send his mama money to get him a table since they didn't provide them. It's sad it's that way. Hopefully they'll have something ironed out by Fall.
Comment from RodG
I really enjoyed your essay because (1) its tone is light-hearted and it brightened my day, (2) it is clearly written and coherent (something an old English teacher like me admires) and (3) it is informative. I learned a lot.
I think others seeking something new to rescue them from isolation will like it, too. Rod
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I really enjoyed your essay because (1) its tone is light-hearted and it brightened my day, (2) it is clearly written and coherent (something an old English teacher like me admires) and (3) it is informative. I learned a lot.
I think others seeking something new to rescue them from isolation will like it, too. Rod
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Rod, thank you so much for your encouraging review of my post. I appreciate your candid remarks, and so glad to know it passes the English teacher scrutiny!!!
Take care,
Rhonda
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My pleasure.