Just in from a very enjoyable hour, picking Saskatoon berries in the dusk. These are a wild berry, something like a blueberry, but sweeter and with a brighter flavour. My favorite patch is just off a fairly busy road, right in town, and yet I am the only person using it! It seems that berry picking is something that has faded into the past, like children playing outside. It's kind of sad, these berries have been a staple in the diet in this area for thousands of years, the native people and the first settlers depended on them, and now, well, I guess people just go to the supermarket for berries.
I'm curious, if there is anyone here from Montana or North Dakota - do you have Saskatoons, or is it just a western Canadian thing?

I am not , I am from England, Agony, but Saskatoon berry gathering sounds like such a lovely peaceful occupation, and reminded me of blackberry picking in Epping Forest, with my Auntie Gertie, when I was small. She always provided me with a little bucket, and off we would set with a walking stick to reach for the high branches. Blackberry and apple pie, I am sure tasted better then..

It's ten AM, and I am just now sitting down for a rest, I've been baking pies all morning, to get done before it gets too hot. It's too bad that the pie-baking and jam-making season is also the season when you'd really rather not heat up your kitchen!