Dewberries and Dandelions
One woman's respite from Social Isolation.34 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
What an interesting post, Rhonda. Well written. I loved hearing about your master gardening. It takes a lot of effort, but a rewarding way to learn and spend time. Marilyn
reply by the author on 17-May-2020
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What an interesting post, Rhonda. Well written. I loved hearing about your master gardening. It takes a lot of effort, but a rewarding way to learn and spend time. Marilyn
Comment Written 16-May-2020
reply by the author on 17-May-2020
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Thank you for your review. The Master Gardener program takes a lot of time and dedication, lol. I'm just starting it, really, as our training got cut short by "This present Darkness", but we are connecting online. Take care, Marilyn,
Rhonda
Comment from Bichon
I think this was a great, little story! I was interesting in your gardening craft, which normally I wouldn't think of. You did a really good job with your article, that's for sure.
reply by the author on 05-May-2020
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I think this was a great, little story! I was interesting in your gardening craft, which normally I wouldn't think of. You did a really good job with your article, that's for sure.
Comment Written 04-May-2020
reply by the author on 05-May-2020
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Thank you for your review. It?s never too late to start gardening, even it?s a little at a time.
Comment from enitsalemap
Sometimes the most dire circumstances open doors for enlightenment and wonderful experience. This delightful story shows that with descriptive and personal narrative. Nicely done. I had to look up dewberries. I had never heard of them. They sound delicious. My grandfather made dandelion wine every spring and even the little kids in the family were allowed to drink it at Sunday dinners. (Not my favorite drink but a favorite memory)
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Sometimes the most dire circumstances open doors for enlightenment and wonderful experience. This delightful story shows that with descriptive and personal narrative. Nicely done. I had to look up dewberries. I had never heard of them. They sound delicious. My grandfather made dandelion wine every spring and even the little kids in the family were allowed to drink it at Sunday dinners. (Not my favorite drink but a favorite memory)
Comment Written 03-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Thank you for taking time out to read and review.
You're right about these times breeding more than despair and civil disobedience (I added that part). I have learned so much, and remembered even more.
I haven't made the dandelion wine yet, or the jelly. I might do that today. I was picking for a couple of days.
Thanks for the heads up on the taste.
Dewberries are kind of a Texas thing, I think. In Houston, we called them Dewberries, and that's what they call them in my plant identifier, but around here in the Dallas area, they call them blackberries. I don't think they are true blackberries, but they are black and they are terribly good, so I'll go with either name.
Thanks again,
Rhonda
Comment from bluedragon776
As I read your post it occurs to me that if things get really bad, a lot of us may turn resort to planting own gardens. Funny how many of us, myself included, take things for granted like where and how the food comes from that appears in the grocery store. People in general are so clueless and not appreciative of the work and trouble others go through to make life easier. Hope this pandemic is over soon, we regain our freedoms, the economy get's back to normal and we all gain a greater appreciation of life in general.
Thanks!
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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As I read your post it occurs to me that if things get really bad, a lot of us may turn resort to planting own gardens. Funny how many of us, myself included, take things for granted like where and how the food comes from that appears in the grocery store. People in general are so clueless and not appreciative of the work and trouble others go through to make life easier. Hope this pandemic is over soon, we regain our freedoms, the economy get's back to normal and we all gain a greater appreciation of life in general.
Thanks!
Comment Written 03-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Thank you for taking time to review my story.
I do so hope people have some take-aways from this unfortunate experience that they will remember. I know I will.
I've been gardening for some time, more from a hobby, I guess than anything, but this isolation, especially as it played out in the beginning with the panic buying, the importance of self sustainability. My planned garden, and the foods I could forage have gained a new respect for me.
Thanks for your review and comments,
Take care,
Rhonda
Comment from January L'Angelle
I wish I was a master gardener. I grew a garden and the only thing I seemed to be good at was zucchini! I had so much of it, that everyone was sick of me giving it away to them. (I digress) Your story was very timely and sensitive. It really showed how you were feeling about what's going on today. I like the ideas that you used and the writing was great. Well done. -January L.
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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I wish I was a master gardener. I grew a garden and the only thing I seemed to be good at was zucchini! I had so much of it, that everyone was sick of me giving it away to them. (I digress) Your story was very timely and sensitive. It really showed how you were feeling about what's going on today. I like the ideas that you used and the writing was great. Well done. -January L.
Comment Written 03-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Thank you, January, and I love your comments. It helps me know my audience, and to feel connected to others in the "outside world". Gardens do tend to overproduce at times, and why I've learned to can and to make jellies. Ways too much fun, though scary at first.
I do so appreciate your review and comments. Have a great week, and stay safe,
Rhonda
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Lovely image, Rhonda.
-I'm glad you decided to share
your love of gardening and
the project you are involved in.
-This is very well written.
-I like how you begin with an
introduction to yourself and the project.
-You also include a little humor
about the cucumbers and use
effective imagery as the story goes along,
and you are gathering berries and dandelions.
-The conclusion is excellent.
-I enjoyed reading this and
hope you do more.
-Have a great day and week ahead.
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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-Lovely image, Rhonda.
-I'm glad you decided to share
your love of gardening and
the project you are involved in.
-This is very well written.
-I like how you begin with an
introduction to yourself and the project.
-You also include a little humor
about the cucumbers and use
effective imagery as the story goes along,
and you are gathering berries and dandelions.
-The conclusion is excellent.
-I enjoyed reading this and
hope you do more.
-Have a great day and week ahead.
Comment Written 03-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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*Wow, Pam, thank you for the six stars and the very careful review. You spent time looking it over and that is so very helpful.
*I had a lot of fun writing it, and hope to do more on the subject. It does consume a lot of my time, so I should write on it.
*Thank you, again, and have a great week as well.
Rhonda
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I read the whole thing and then I go back to it to see what I liked. It's the English teacher in me:)
I agree that if you enjoy this, then it's good to share it. I think people will related to it, too, and enjoy knowing what you are planting and how, especially for people like me who can't grow anything!
You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review. That's why I didn't review it right away because of the stars:)
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Oh, how sweet. Yeah, my stars disappear so quickly that I often wait until mid-week to review, though not always, haha.
You can grow things, you just have to start off small, then work your way up. It helps that my husband has a lot of farm equipment, and grew up a Farmboy. He's a huge help, and is very patient with me as I try new things.
My mother-in-law is always right there to help as well, though these days it ends up being more academic than hands on.
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I know some people give them out like candy, but I am a bit more prudent:) No, I literally cannot grow anything. I even killed a little aloe plant. My dad grew up on a farm, and gardened his whole life; I did not get the gene:)
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Awww, well my dad was a musician (hobby but talented). I promise, I didn?t get any of it...
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Thanks for sharing Rhonda:)
Comment from Alison Ogilvie-Holme
Great work! Social isolation has been so difficult for so many of us. You describe this feeling perfectly when you say that your soul "was not fed". I think that we are all looking for some way to feel less lonely. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
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reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Great work! Social isolation has been so difficult for so many of us. You describe this feeling perfectly when you say that your soul "was not fed". I think that we are all looking for some way to feel less lonely. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 02-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Thank you so much for taking time to review and comment. Have a great week,
Rhonda
Comment from Ashtar Zaidi
Great Job... !! I really enjoyed it, deep ideas, your energy is infectious, the way how you explained it was fantastic, thank you so much for sharing it, God Bless You... ~Ashtar~
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Great Job... !! I really enjoyed it, deep ideas, your energy is infectious, the way how you explained it was fantastic, thank you so much for sharing it, God Bless You... ~Ashtar~
Comment Written 02-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Thank you for the kind review, Ashtar. I'm glad you liked it. I like the comment about energy. People are always telling me I have a lot of energy, but I don't see it, especially after picking berries all day, lol.
Take care, Ashtar,
Rhonda
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My pleasure ... lolz... stay safe & healthy, God Bless you :)
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God Bless you are well!
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God Bless you too :)
Comment from rspoet
Hello Rhonda,
I think you expressed beautifully what many are feeling as we deal with isolation. When one door closes, often another opens to things we failed
to notice before; those little, wonderful freebies nature offers.
(though not free from pricks and stings, nature's defensive mode)
And then I made a new find--Nature's freebies. (I'd use the em dash here, found in symbols.
PPE (Personal Protect Equipment) a few may not know the acronym.
Good luck with the article and best wishes, my friend. Stay safe.
Robert.
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Hello Rhonda,
I think you expressed beautifully what many are feeling as we deal with isolation. When one door closes, often another opens to things we failed
to notice before; those little, wonderful freebies nature offers.
(though not free from pricks and stings, nature's defensive mode)
And then I made a new find--Nature's freebies. (I'd use the em dash here, found in symbols.
PPE (Personal Protect Equipment) a few may not know the acronym.
Good luck with the article and best wishes, my friend. Stay safe.
Robert.
Comment Written 02-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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*Robert, thank you for the beautiful and much appreciated six stars!! Always so nice to see.
*You're right on the PPE. I should include a definition in the author's notes. I'll fix that right away.
*My hands are clear testimonies to nature's defense mechanisms, haha.
*Thank you, again, for the review and stars.
Take care, you and yours!
Rhonda
Comment from Ulla
Hi Rhonda, I think it is creative and refreshing to see how you've found new ways to fill your day, with added benefit of exercise and making food and drink. And you're right, it makes you feel less alone. I've done similar outdoor things in my confinement. I feel so lucky I live in the country, in the mountains, even. And not in a big city, where there's no escape. I enjoyed reading this. It's great to see you back, and stay safe. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Hi Rhonda, I think it is creative and refreshing to see how you've found new ways to fill your day, with added benefit of exercise and making food and drink. And you're right, it makes you feel less alone. I've done similar outdoor things in my confinement. I feel so lucky I live in the country, in the mountains, even. And not in a big city, where there's no escape. I enjoyed reading this. It's great to see you back, and stay safe. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 02-May-2020
reply by the author on 03-May-2020
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Hi Ulla!!! It's good to hear from you.
I know you write about nature a lot, and I actually thought about you when I posted this piece.
I'm glad you're getting out as well. I do feel sorry for those in the city. Some are afraid to step outside their doors. I would probably feel the same way. In the congested cities, the virus in rampant.
Take care,
Rhonda