Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

"I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree. Spring has brought me such a nice surprise. Blossoms popping right before my eyes. I can take an arm full and make a treat, a popcorn ball that would smell so sweet. It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be, popcorn popping on the apricot tree." George W. Bello

Spring! Spring sunshine! Spring skies! Spring afternoon showers! Spring humming birds! Spring animal babies and you guessed it...

SPRING BLOSSOMS!!!

Who doesn't like spring? if I could take away my allergies I think spring would be the perfect scene. Just heavenly. I love the bees visiting each flower as they work to pollinate the earth's new growth. I love sitting under my trees with a good book just soaking in the new life that comes with spring.

We are fortunate to have an apricot tree come ripe in early June. My husband loves walking out the front door and just standing there breathing in the smell of ripening apricots. After he has his fill, he walks over and as a carefully as a surgeon, picks the first apricot. Slowly takes a bite, and pure joy is expressed on his face. The rest of the family sees "that look" and goes to find their own mouthful of juice.

About a week later the main crop is ripe and ready to pick. Tree ripened fruit is the best! Our family especially loves apricot nectar on pancakes in the morning. But first the harvest.

Now I have a son who is a great help when asked but boys at that age would hide in their rooms quietly hoping to go unnoticed if possible when there is work to be done. After being asked he came to help pick the apricots. The boxes I had chosen were quickly full. I asked my son to go in the kitchen and bring out some large bowls to continue the harvest with.

He came back out a few minutes later with the flimsiest plastic containers in the kitchen! After seeing the "containers" and slipping in some apricot goo on the ground I was not in the best of moods. Not wanting to make everyone miserable I just glared. I could have yelled. But I controlled myself. So I glared and continued picking.

To my surprise my son decides to start singing while he worked. Yup. You guessed it....

"I looked out the window and what did I see!!!"

Nothing changes your attitude like a young man singing a primary song with a maturing, crackling voice with a silly grin on his face.

I learned that even during the long, sweaty harvest hours there is always room for a song!