Jul 1, 2014

apricot season

this is our first year to have apricots.
we've lived here for two, but last year the buds froze off.
there's a huge tree in our backyard.
it has always been here, so we basically forgot about it until last week 
when orange, golf ball shaped fruit started plopping down and dotting the grass.

homegrown, midwestern apricots are a lot smaller than storebought
i really really like apricots.  they are similar to a peach, but more mellow, not as fuzzy.

the apricots are everywhere.
i've never picked one off the tree in my life. 
even as we bend and kneel on the ground, reaching and collecting fruit,
there is a rustle as one free falls through the branches,
plop plop it bounces and then rolls a few feet.

they seem to never stop coming from the sky.
in the mornings, the grass is covered.
after lunch we collect a few more pints.
in evening we fight mosquitoes and other bugs.

despite the seemingly never ending task,
i have a feeling these are the summers i'll look back on fondly,
when the sunlight was dappled,
my knees were green and muddy,
we shared our free bounty with neighbors,
and sweet, orange, apricot juice slides down my arms off my elbows.









7 comments:

Ajax Cochrane said...

Share some, please? ;)

Samantha Joan said...

Mmmmm.

Shady Del Knight said...

More than ever I am convinced that you are a time traveling 1950s teenager, Abigail. Why? Because you describe experiences that are among my most cherished childhood memories. I spent the first few years of my life in a rural area. I remember neighbors sharing produce and the simple pleasure of eating a freshly harvested peach on a hot summer day.


I'm surprised by the number of people who aren't fond of apricots. (Apparently, Daisy is one of them :) I happen to enjoy them. As usual, these pictures are superb. It's remarkable how Daisy loves to pose for you. She's such a cutie. Thank you for another outstanding post filled with evocative words and images, dear friend Abigail!

Sarah said...

I love the way you described the apricot tree! It sounds magical! I love apricots but have not seen any in the stores yet around here.

Tessie Jayne said...

My family and I love apricots, and it's super cool that you have some growing in your own backyard. Picking apricots (or just grabbing them off the ground) on a summer afternoon really does seem like such a pleasant summer memory, I hope you continue to have a memorable summer!

Samantha Heather said...

What a beautiful picture of summer you have painted here. Wish I could come by and pick some Apricots for myself :) They sound so lovely

Jessica Cangiano said...

This post is as filled with the spirit as summertime as the warm July sunshine that helps grow those scrumptious apricots itself. Beautiful post and one that strikes a distinct chord with me as well, as apricots, along with peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, cherries and grapes have long been staple fruit crops in our area and ones that I've always enjoyed picking and cooking/baking with as well.

I hope your whole summer is every bit as sweet and delectable as these lovely little warm weather fruits.

♥ Jessica

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