Thanks to all who shared your memories of Blackberry Winter.
No, Blackberry Winter is NOT a text messaging device. Come on, youngsters!
I wasn't referring to the Margaret Mead autobiography of that title, either, although it's a good read. She visited us once here at the University of Georgia, a good speaker and a pleasant image.
Milan D. in Prague sent me the following information about May cold spells in Central Europe. There, late cold snaps there are called the
"Days of the Frozen Men," May 12 - 14. Those three men are Saint Pancrace, St. Servais, and St.
Boniface. They are followed by
Saint Sophia - May 15th --"The Cook," who usually brings heavy rains.
Here on the Georgia Piedmont we're emerging from Blackberry Winter now, with rain forecast for the Memorial Day weekend (Saint Sophia, are you there?). Temperatures rise slowly, seventy degrees here on the deck at nine a.m., very pleasant.
And so, a happy Memorial Day weekend to all, with the promise for a joy-filled summer ahead. Let's have rain in Texas, warmth in the mountains, home-grown tomatoes galore in the farmer's markets. I harvested the first jalapeños yesterday!
Remember our servicemen and women on Memorial Day. Originally it was Decoration Day (remember, you old-timers?), designated to honor those who gave their lives for their country. Hats off! Salute the flag.
dac
5/23/2009
"My Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be right. But my Country, right or wrong!" -- Commodore Steven Decatur