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Ted Hatfield's avatar

This says all…

“ I see Mt. Hood in the distance straight ahead, and to my left, Mt. Adams. I even catch a glimpse of St. Helens when the angle and light are just right. How lucky am I to call this place home.”

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

I saw all 3 again when we were on Sauvie's last night! ✨🏔

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Lauren Scott's avatar

I can totally see how berry picking would be a meditative activity, and how fun to have literal fruits of your labor you can turn into something delicious to eat! It reminds me of my mom, who used to go blackberry picking. She would come home, her fingers and clothes all purple, her arms all pricked, with gallon milk jugs of fresh berries she'd then turn into pies. 🥧 She'd always refer to it as a labor of love.

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Aw that's a sweet memory - a labor of love, indeed! I'm still coming around to blackberry picking, the thorns scare me off 😆

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Lauren Scott's avatar

The thorns are definitely a thing! My mom would have scratches all over her arms 😬 I wholly recommend long sleeves!!

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Symbioses, le podcast's avatar

Also, that title 😍

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Symbioses, le podcast's avatar

Finding joy in doing things, instead of the results, is key :) Thanks for sharing this piece, this tradition of field-picking is totally absent in our country and although I knew it existed in the US, it's the first time that I get a good feel of it ! Also, noting down this strawberry balsamic pizza recipe... :)

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment, Amande! I didn’t know berry picking wasn’t a thing in France - is that because of the climate or because access to fresh produce is more prevalent there?

And you should definitely try the pizza. Both my mom and I make it every year, it’s divine! 🤌

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Symbioses, le podcast's avatar

Actually, we have berry picking traditions in my family, but it's with wild berries in the woods. The whole concept of picking things in a open field managed by someone is something I have never encountered here ! The farmers will hire people to pick things up, and that's all...

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

That's so interesting. I'll have to look into that more! I wonder if it has something to do with the over industrialization of our food system here in America and providing the opportunity as a means of of farm access. Or maybe it's just money-making 😅

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Angela Hatfield's avatar

That's my girl! Glad you picked berries. We should pick blackberries again this year :)

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Morganne Hatfield's avatar

Yes that was fun! I’m determined to nail down that scone recipe with fresher, juicier berries.

Hey did you know the marionberry was created/bred by OSU and 90% of them grow in Oregon? Just learned that yesterday.

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