06/22/2026
Often times, while picking blueberries in the patch, I can be heard quietly singing or humming to myself as the pints accumulate in my bucket. This habit can be traced back to my years spent doing research in the field, the field being the desert southwest, the research being studying rocks. Although I continued the practice during my professional career while in the woods of the northeast monitoring springs and streams. It has always served the same purpose, to fill the air with noise so I am less likely to surprise any large predators, such as bears or mountain lions.
While it still serves the same role in the backyard of our blueberry patch, it has modified into a more practical use. It helps to keep me from hearing the conversations of the other pickers. Or eaves dropping if you will.
That being said, I have dropped many eaves on many conversations. Some of the discussions I've heard have made me mad, confused, wanting for better. Some have left me overjoyed and brimming with happiness. Some of the conversations I did not understand because I do not speak the language I was listening to. And those, by far, have been my favorite. In the sixteen or so years we've been growing and selling blueberries here at the farm, I've heard at least that many different languages. Everything from German, Ukrainian, and French, to Spanish, Korean and Japanese. I've heard Hindi and Hebrew. I've heard Russian and Chinese. And what i like best about hearing all of these different languages is the reminder it gives me that I live in a country, in a world, so full of cultural and ethnic diversity. And that our little hidden blue corner of it has welcomed so many, and continues to draw in more and more.
I've heard many voices, over the many years, say that this little farm tucked away in this little green valley gives off a deep feeling of peace and tranquility. A soothing of the soul if you will. And it greatly soothes my soul to know so many different people from so many different cultures come here and spend their time, finding an atmosphere of peace and love, picking so many healthy and delicious little blue treats, and before leaving depositing money in our little wooden box. So much honesty from so many strangers gives me hope for the people in this world. Hope that we will learn to cultivate love and peace for all living things here, not just the ones that look and sound and think as we do.
Seeing the colors of the rainbow in the sky can feel magical, but the true magic is finding and seeing those colors within yourself, and realizing they are in everyone else too.
Thank you for picking. See you in the patch.
