Friday, August 6, 2010

blackberry cobbler saved by the gun!

now that it's blackberry season, i want to share my favorite blackberry
picking story.

every july, my family hauled hay at our ranch -- ugh.   the heat.   the 
heavy haybales!  the sickening fear while pulling hay out of the blades!!  
the idea of inadvertently grabbing a snake instead!!!

the only redeeming part was my mom's delicious blackberry cobblers.
picking the berries, however, was also dangerous, as there were so many
snakes lurking in the bushes.



in fact, snakes were so prevalent that my dad let my 12 year old brother
carry a handgun to protect us.  that is probably his happiest childhood
memory . . . and my most horrifying.

"seriously, dad?  you're going to let that crazy little kid carry a gun? he
will kill us all!"

one sweltering morning, we were picking blackberries, when "boom!"
wyatt earp had fired his six shooter and nailed a rattlesnake, who was
considering a strike at my mom's ankle.



as i stared in horror at the dead snake, i thought, "we almost didn't
get that cobbler."

love,
lea

"bring forth fruit worthy of repentance."  luke 3:7,8


24 comments:

Southern Lady said...

What a story! I love blackberries, but am also afraid of snakes. My dad planted three hybrid bushes at the edge of his yard, so no more worries! Aren't you glad that your brother had the gun? Carla

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Ha Ha. Great story. I am so glad that "Wyatt" saved your mom and of course, that he saved the cobbler maker. :)

Enjoy this Glorious heat and the ret of your weekend,
Joyce

P.S. I love, love, love hot weather.

Sandy said...

That cobbler looks delicious
and I do love blackberries
but not enough to go out among
the snakes to pick them!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your story made me smile! I get the creep from snakes but your brother sounds like such a funny little guy. The cobbler looks delicious...I love all berries!

xoxo
Jane

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy!

Gloria said...

Yikes!!!
My dad brought home the rattler tail from a snake he killed on a job he was on while doing construction once, when we were little. I can remember holding that rattle, and wondering about that snake!!! Kind of scared to even hold it. I don't know what happened to it? my dad might still have it!
Your pie looks SOOOO yummy!! with some vanilla ice cream....to die for!

Vivek said...

Hi lea,

How are you? Enjoying Blackberry ... hmm rytly so ..as season is on ..

A very amazing encounter I would say ...

I had a encounter when I was in 3rd or 4th grade ...we were playing in the ground where there a snake came out from a bored ground ..it was huge ...5 foot approx. but we all manage to kill him ...but couldn't able to forget it for a long time when we used go there..to play..

Very interesting episode of your life..

Take care
Have a great weekend ..
Keep smiling

Cinnamon said...

Oh I think I'd skip blackberry picking if snakes were near :-0 Of course we have a Wyatt Earp in our home too. A few of them in fact. They'd be "berry picking" daily just to shoot....anything :-)

Great story~ Cinnamon

Anita Diaz said...

Yours looks so pretty and yummy!! Snakes and blackberries go together here too! my mom makes Blackberry Dumplings, and we just had some night before last. I love em!!

Farm Girl said...

It looks wonderful and I hate snakes too. It was important for your brother to carry a gun. Nothing better than berry anything!

Elizabeth Dianne said...

Cute story! Great looking pie!!!!

Rosie said...

OH DEAR!!!...what a scary, scary incidence...but a fabulous story...thankfully Wyatt's aim was true...I am terrified of snakes...but, would probably would risk it for a pie such as this...YUM! Have a great weekend Sweet Lea ...love...Rosie

A tale of two cities said...

Oh my goodness! I'm sure I don't like blackberries that much to take the risk. Hope you enjoyed it!

Debi

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

of course, first things first! Blackberry cobbler was definitely the #1 thought at the time. It's sad that I completely get that. :(

Having the blackberry cobbler mentality is exactly why I am on a war with the scale this summer!! I am eating healthy and less... that includes blackberries, minus the cobbler. :)

Fun post Lea!

Jenners said...

I had no idea berry picking could be so fraught with danger!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I'm with you...no snakes! Daddy planted thornless blackberries so we don't have to head to the mountains any longer. Love cobbler of just about any flavor.

Single and Sane said...

How funny! I have cousins who have had to learn the fine art of snake killing, although I'm not sure they've ever used a gun. Your brother must be a pretty good shot!

Vee said...

This is so scary on so many levels so why did it make me laugh out loud? Good writing, Lea!

Joan Elizabeth said...

I don't like blackberries because they are prickly and invade my garden so won't eat them on principle but the cobbler reminds me of mulberry ones that we had as kids. We didn't have to fight snakes or prickles to pick mulberries and I think they taste even better than blackberries.

Lisa said...

LOL! You are too funny,Lea. Well your brother turned out to be quite the hero.:)
PS The pie looks divine!

bbb said...

just one more reason your brother is one of my hero's!

Liz said...

That is funny! "we almost didn't get that cobbler" made me laugh this morning!

trish said...

Yikes! That is scary! So glad you are safe.
That is wonderful about your daughter making preparations for her mission trip and it pleases my heart to no end, that the sweet little girl she will care for, will receive my bracelet! :o)
Hoping you have a great week!
Sincerely ~ Tricia

Anonymous said...

Can you post the recipe for the cobbler you almost didn't get?? I made one earlier this summer but it wasn't so great. Enjoyed to Sunday Lane video...you should be proud of your precious daughter! I would be!