After a pool party and hot sun, the kids and I rolled into the Muskegon Barnes and Noble to buzz Grandpa.  He is looking well these days with his rock star haircut, keeping busy with grading tests.  The kids were worn out from a day of play and I wasn’t sure if we’d go to the house or not, but I’m glad we did.

Upon the bush in back were berries.  Currants aplenty.  My mother made currant jelly long ago, you see, every summer.  She did not pass the secrets of the harvest to me, though, because there were not many berries.  Three cups, perhaps?  I don’t know, but I’m going to get some jelly out of this no matter what happens!

Preserves this summer have been poor. Our strawberry jam did not set up, and we are not at the right time for cherry jam this year.  However, the UP may bring an abundance of thimbleberries, which are the classic jam berry for Sam.  Wild berries are our favorite berries, and they have become especially valuable with our house in town – no wild berries in the backyard!