Growing My Way to Freedom #4: Wild Grape Jelly

Very nice memories Radgal.
I have tried to plant concords here for about 15 years and I get nothing. Of late I have two little plants now into their 3rd year and about 4 feet high.
I envy you, especially the jelly part! <g>

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

what memories are made of…..............

Your children will thank you for giving them what so many people never experience. The pics jogged my memory of my own kids when they were little. Enjoy your time with them…......its surprisingly short !

-- Central northish Ontario

Greenthumb and Bob, have you ever read the book Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression? It is written by Mildrend Armstron Kalish and it is a delightful story of a time when children were allowed to be children. Not indoors, pampered, coddled, protected or sitting behind desks or electronic devices all day. Check it out from the library when you want to do some fun reading. Anyway, I like to think I am raising two “little heathens” in the spirit she meant in her book.

And Bob, I would love to share my bread and jelly with you. My animals keep me close to home but you are welcome to come visit us in beautiful New England anytime. Or perhaps I could gather up some grapes and send you some seeds to try?

-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi

Your little fellow up that tree looks like one of my boys way back when. My Dad taught us about many things you can gather from the wild and I tried to pass it on to my kids. When we get together, many of those memories are re-visited. It is a good thing you are doing with your children. Many Moms would be saying, “you can’t climb that ladder, you’ll fall”. :-) Your children are not only making memories, they are gaining confidence in themselves, learning about the world and feeling very helpful, contributing to the family. (besides looking very cute, up on that ladder). :-)

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Nice pictures Radgal and beautiful memories.Grape jelly….mmm,mmm,mmmm.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

“And Bob, I would love to share my bread and jelly with you”
Robin, you are a very kind person and I really respect your child rearing philosophy.
Too bad more parents cant do this for their kids.
I will hunt down that book—Little Heathens:—
I am reading ( sloggin through) a book on Insects of Alberta trying to get a better understanding of all my neighbours. <g>
I find it fascinating. ( yeah, I know <g>)

New England sounds like a neat destination. I may have to take you folks up on that!

Bob

-- I want to believe in a lot of things but, in the meantime I have to deal with the truth

Robin, what a great way to keep your kids in the loop. As for the grapes, I just recently planted some white table grapes and was reading that if the grapes dont get atleast 6 hours of full sun or if you use the pesticide to kill dandilions around them they want produce grapes. PS I can taste the jelly as I type yummmm.

-- Listen quitely and nature will tell you what to do..Open your eyes widely and you will be amazed..

Thanks for all your kind words; I am glad you liked the photos. Next year, I will hope for a bumper crop of grapes so I can make enough jelly to share with y’all. : )

Bob, today Isaac found a beautiful garden spider in its web on the pasture gate. She was clutching an egg sack and Isaac called me over to see this marvelous spider carrying a shield! : ) I want my sons to be fascinated by and comfortable with the insects, arachnids and reptiles living around us. Happy reading!

Iris, I was blessed with two wonderfully unconventional parents and many of my childhood adventures are the favorite stories my own sons like to hear. Looking at your daughter’s place, Wyndyacres, I think you must have shared much love and knowledge with your own children.

Rog, maybe the leaves of the choke cherry block too much of the sun? We don’t use any pesticides.

-- Robin, Massachusetts - "Live simply so others can simply live." M. Gandhi

What a lovely place you have. And great stories to share. Thanks for the smiles.

-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20