No one has farmed this old plot for many years, but nature does provide. There is an ancient pear tree in the front yard, which, most years, puts out a few feeble flowers, and later, a couple of moth eaten fruits. Once every several years, though, it flowers fully, and glistens with light green fruit. This is one of those years. The tree is literally covered with pears, branches hanging low with the weight. I can’t wait until fall to taste them.

I can’t help but remember the last time the tree was covered with fruit. An elderly fellow from down the road stopped by, and asked if he could have some of the pears to make pear wine. Mom and dad were here then, and they said sure. He told us there wouldn’t be many more wine years for him, because he had terminal cancer. I never caught his name, but I think of him whenever I see the pear tree.

Pears are not the only bounty nature provides on this old farm. Each year, a mulberry tree produces a crop of succulent mulberries. These we leave for the birds. Mulberries are good, but kind of watery. They are not as good, in my opinion, as blackberries. Blackberries grow wild all over the fields. These are huge, black, amazingly sweet berries, the kind that melt in your mouth. Since they can ripen on the canes, they are far and away better than the expensive berries you get at the grocery store. Nieces and nephews stop by regularly to sample them, and I gather them to eat, make jelly, and share at work. That leaves a few for the animals that live on the farm, as well.

I planted a beach plum to add to the bounty, and so I could make jelly, but I haven’t made any yet. I didn’t know that this is one of those plants that need two for pollination. So far I’ve got only a handful of plums. Next year, I’ll get it a friend and see what happens.