Mountain blueberries a delicious surprise

Zann Miner
Published: June 25, 2008

And now, the rest of the story. Last week I mentioned a few of the canine friends in my life and some of what I do on a daily basis. I feel obliged to tell you a little bit more and end the suspense as to what I found while foraging for berries. I hope it won’t be too ho hum.

Feather, the Llewellyn setter, an insatiable hunter never had a lick of training but if her eyes were open, she was hunting. We called her the “frog dog” and I will tell you why. Feather would spend hours hunting frogs in the pond. Now, those of you who grew up anywhere near a pond will know that frogs sit on the edge until someone or something comes along. Then, as if strategically positioned on a springboard, with a grand leap and a little plunk, they escape to the murky depths of safety. But this savvy little setter had it figured out.

She hunted the banks of the pond from the water, confusing and inevitably trapping the small amphibian of lesser intelligence. Proud of her accomplishments, she rarely failed to bring her prize home. Of course, not wanting to disappoint her we would often have fried frog legs for supper. There has not been another like her and though the frogs are no doubt pleased, we still miss her a lot.

Life on the farm is full of animal characters and there is always be room for one more. The thunder-hating Buddy is no exception to the rule. Buddy came to live with us as a companion to my son, Nathan. An SPCA puppy, he was short and stocky, bowlegged and in possession of a severe under bite.

No wallflower, Buddy proudly protects well all that he surveys and displays to those he loves an endearing smile often mistaken for aggressive baring of teeth; his under bite is another story. Combine a neurotic fear of thunder and the incredible skill of a dog with pliers for teeth; the result is a happening that no one would believe. Buddy could open my car door!

No lie, though it took months to convince friends that I was not delusional. If I was not home and the thunder rolled, Buddy would find safe haven inside the van. It took me a while to figure out was going on. I would come home and the door to the van would be open. It remained a mystery until the day I pulled into the driveway to discover Buddy sitting in the driver’s seat. Opening the door from the outside was one thing but this time it had shut behind him and opening from the inside was beyond his powers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough comfort to prevent the chewing, and every one of my seat belts required replacement.

Never for a moment did I consider getting rid of Buddy; instead, I kept the car locked and the handle covered with Duct tape.

And now, for the moment you have patiently awaited, “What did I discover on my berry-picking excursion?” I stumbled on a patch of the largest mountain blueberries I have ever seen. If you have never eaten these delicacies, you cannot appreciate fully the discovery of berries with significant size. These little jewels are so much sweeter than the domestic variety, but their size is disheartening. It is a labor of love to pick enough for a bowl of ice cream much less a batch of muffins. For me it is well worth the effort.

Should you decide to find some berries of your own listed below are a few tips:

-Blackberries and occasionally red raspberries grow along the roadsides.

-Any doubt about private property, please ask permission.

-Keep a small bucket handy.

-Grab a stick and poke the bushes before you begin to pick.

-Wear a long sleeved shirt, hat, long pants, good shoes and socks pulled up over the bottom of your pants.

Apply insect repellent.

-Purchase poison ivy preemergent wash and use liberally on your return.

-If this all seems a bit much, try to find a nearby fruit stand or visit the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.

Until next week.

Zann Miner, former director of the Museum of Culpeper History, can be reached at or write Zann Miner c/o the Culpeper Star Exponent 471 James Madison Hwy. Suite 201 Culpeper, VA 22701.