In Which My Harvest Incurs Merriment

A bifurcation 'twixt us has been found:

As we traversed the traffic islands, I

Did something that elicited a sound

From Paul I'd call a gasp of shock, caused by

My plucking from a tree some traffic fruit --

A mere crabapple, which I ate. I smiled --

I love them so, and it was fresh, to boot!

'Twas yesterday that happened. Now, beguiled

By this so-shocking tale, my Pete and Paul

Amuse themselves exchanging recipes

(Or concepts therefor); and that book we'd call

A Traffic Fruit Compendium. With ease

Comes traffic jam and traffic fruit tarts, and

We'd better stop; it's getting out of hand.

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In Which I Do Not Say Meh To Gadgeting Up Some Fruit

It's almost done, my latest, luscious batch

Of freezer jam, which just last night I made.

Just strawberries and sugar; there's no catch,

Except to add some pectin. I won't trade

My product for a store-bought version, no!

I know just what is in it, and enjoy

The process and the way it makes eyes glow

(My dad's as those of at least one more boy,

Though really quite a few like it, so I've

Some trading partners, game meat for some jars

Of this good stuff). The happiness I strive

E'er to attain is made of this. My stars!

And it's so simply done I sometimes feel

That I am cheating, but the work is real.

In Which The Seasons Change Very Swiftly

Just yesterday I wrote of the approach
Of Autumn, felt and seen by many signs.
I missed it once again; winter doth broach
Our talk already as the month declines.
Today's the equinox if one believes
The calendar, but, in Wyoming, learn:
Already we have snow. I'm sure the leaves
Would have been pretty if allowed to turn,
Likewise, the crabapples that I've watched grow
In my backyard might have made lovely jam
Had they a chance to ripen. But I know
Such hopes are most quixotic, as I am
Each April when I dream of such. Alas!
How swiftly those Fall minutes seem to pass!

Sonnet Recipe: Blueberry-Ginger Freezer Jam

Three cups blueberries first, you have to mash,
Until you've got a lovely purple pulp.
Next get four cups of sugar from your stash
Cook with the berries till it's gone - Oh, gulp!
You're halfway there! Remember, though, to stir
While on the heat; the sugar must dissolve.
The ginger, crystallized, comes next - of her
You need two tablespoons - this will involve
Some chopping fine beforehand. Mix that in
Along with 1T lemon juice and one-
Half teaspoon of ground ginger. The pectin,
The liquid kind, 3 ounces, follows. Fun!
Pour into freezer jars and let it stand
A day, then you can freeze or serve. How grand!

BONUS SONNET: In Which A Lost Grape Becomes A Veritable Zelig at TAM7

As a small grape left lonely on on the floor

Of a Las Vegas venue is how Dave

Began his life. John Walker can't ignore

Such sadness when he sees it, so he gave

A second lease on life to this small fruit.

For 'twas the seventh TAM, a time for great

And small to come together and to toot

The horn of skepticism. Since I, Kate,

Could not be there I rejoice in this tale

Of how a raisin met such superstars

As Randi, Penn & Teller, and Phil Plait. Hail

Dave, the wee TAM Seven raisin! Ours

To cherish in the photo logs John made

Forever. What a worthy grape crusade!

Winter Has Found a Cruel New Way to Mock My Fragile Hopes and Modest Dreams

This morning at my local grocery store,
Was laid for me a welcome, glad surprise:
Strawberries for a dollar, nothing more,
Per pound, and those of quality and size
And scent to make me wonder when I am.
It's wintertime, yet they they were, so ripe
And ready to be made up into jam.
I bought up four; my debit card did swipe
And brought them home with great alacrity --
But then I came back home to find a mess:
My ceiling weeping like a willow tree,
My kitchen floor awash in snowmelt, yes,
Those roof repairs they did that raised my rent
Last time around were money so well spent!