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Muse in the form of grape juice

Sweet dripping clusters
Yesterday afternoon I sat staring at my notebook, pen in hand, but no thoughts.  I flipped through some previously sketched out pieces and thought, “I got nothing.”  Big sigh, looked at photos for muse clarity, and still nada, zip, zilch.  That’s it; I no longer have anything to write – right – I have words, but not sentences?

Still seeking my brainchild of illumination, I decided to do what any good writer would:   make grape juice.  It just so happens, that the previous night we had picked a colossal-sized bowl full of green (I think Chardonnay) grapes from the trellis above our patio.  Those translucent chartreuse tidbits have been oozing nectar-sweet juice all over the furniture and concrete; a definite indication that they needed to come down from their loft.

A couple of years ago I made the mistake of not harvesting the grapes before the downpours started.  Talk about a slippery slope of an ice rink; who knew overripe grapes could become such a smarmy mess?  Needless to say, I learned my lesson.  Don’t wait to pick the grapes or you will be shoveling sticky, grunge.

The stainless steel magnanimous bowl of peridot beauties took up a good chunk of the kitchen counter and fruit flies were doing aerial acrobatics; it was time to roll up my sleeves.  The only issue was I had never made grape juice.  Oh, I’ve had home-made grape juice heaps of times, thanks to someone else’s labors.  Enter my trusty computer and a google search.

Jackpot!  The process was pretty simple:  gather and wash grapes, remove from stems, mash to release juice, simmer for 10 minutes and put through a sieve…booya!   Confession:  the most grueling part was taking the grapes off the stems; so much hard, tedious plucking.  Dang!  Why haven’t I squirrelled this lovely liquid before?

A few hours later, I’m sitting, rat-a-tatting at the computer.  I have gorgeous containers of juice to pop into the freezer or make into slather-worthy jelly and I have brought back words that fit into sentences.  I just needed to follow the lure of the fruit flies.

Writing with sticky fingers that are swatting bugs…

Missy



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Comments

  1. sewsavyOctober 9, 2014 at 4:01 PM

    I've been reluctant to grow grapes.I was told by the landscape architect that I worked for, that's where black widow spiders hide. If I ever get the courage to give it a try, it sounds fun other than the fruit flies. I have a cup of apple cider vinegar on the counter as I write this to get those coming from the fruit my sister brings in. I hate bugs. But at least you have sentences again. I just need time to put them together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missy AOctober 14, 2014 at 11:05 AM

      Hi Marlene...your description of grape vines sounds like the beginning to a Halloween story...all spooky and mysterious. I do have spiders (like everyone else this time of year) but no black widows!

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