Wisdom in Blueberry Bushes

I have a secret.

Deep down inside of me lives a tiny little wanna be...and she's a talker. Fortunately, I am the only one that can hear her. Not to be confused with a lack of contentment or satisfaction in life, she simply has an active imagination. Once upon a time she flirted with the idea of growing her own blueberry bushes.

Now this is where I have to admit my miniscule knowledge of the ideal growing environment for blueberries. There's a reason Florida's known for oranges instead.

Several years back BBHP (before the birth of half-pint), I was pouring over the White Flower Farms catalogue. Each page promised a bountiful harvest of earth grown goodness in vibrant colors and textures. My head swirled with fleeting images of an idealized homestead farm, complete with split-log fences and gardens that would produce blue ribbon specimens. I could practically smell the intoxicating blend of sweet jasmine, fresh cut grass, and good clean earth.

As I read the description for the "lucious and sweet" blueberries, two particular facts jumped off the page.

1. It is not viable to start a blueberry seedling in a container
2. It will be at least three years before harvestable fruit is produced

I looked around our humble first apartment. Dingy carpets, unpainted walls, and a closet sized concrete patio. We were lucky to afford such luxury as a young married couple, both full time working college students. I thought to myself,

one day

down the road

I will live

in the same place

long enough

to be able

to care

and cultivate

a blueberry bush

I didn't expect to actully plant a blueberry bush here in the tropics, it was the principle of putting down roots that will last beyond the near future and having a life that allows me to enjoy simple pleasures...

like growing blueberries.

Today, we were at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center checking up on our little rescued friend. I watched the half-pint gleefully chant "turtal, turtal, turtal" as she trotted from tank to tank.

It was a Thursday. She and I were sharing another great day together. I have an amazing husband. I have a loving family. My life is so full, I can't ask for more than what I've been given.

That's when it hit me...

my blueberry bushes had been growing all along

and I didn't even realize it.