Dandelions, Wild Grapes and Other Edible Memories

I realize that I may be in the small percentage of people that actually look forward to seeing dandelions in their yards. I rejoiced recently when I saw a dandelion poking its bright yellow head from beneath a pile of dull brown mulch. Immediately, I thought about cooking up dandelion jelly, and who knows? Maybe this year, will be the year, that I attempt dandelion wine? I guess you could say that I am a fan of foraging. I have my mother to thank for this, and it is one of many things that she gave to me, for which I am grateful. My childhood memories are beautiful and full of vivid colors and flavors. I have memories of purple fields of loosestrife, bright yellow goldenrod that made me sneeze, crisp day lily pods cooked up like green beans, and a long list of field and yard edibles like rose and peony petals that still make me pause and give thanks today. Our garage was filled with bundles of flowers and herbs neatly tied with twine that hung upside down drying, and awaited future use in wreaths or cooking. 

Growing up, it wasn't unusual for my mother to veer the old Volvo sedan quickly off the road as she said excitedly-- Look! Wild grapes! Raspberries! Currants! Bittersweet! The car would stop, and she would energetically hop out and pop the trunk where clippers and paper bags would magically appear . Then, instructions followed. Words and directives like "Carefully. Clip. Don't pull. Don't pick everything. Leave some so it will grow back." Following instructions, I got busy filling bags with whatever the season had to offer. I learned the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous leaves and berries, the best times to harvest items, and what to do with them. When we did arrive home, I remember the look of satisfaction that surrounded my mother. It was an aura of such that made this spirited woman in her white polka dotted navy tank top even more beautiful. I didn't truly understand that feeling until later in my life. I recall one day when I was standing in a parking lot with other Boy Scout parents. The boys were soon to depart for a week of camp. My eyes wandered and then fixed on wild grape vines. A bit of adrenaline passed through my veins as I wondered if anyone else saw the nearly perfect bunches of grapes that clung to the vines and in their abundance causing the branches to sag. 

Of course I was going to miss my sons while they were at the camp, but I became impatient and couldn't help but want them to get the trailer packed and get on the road to their adventure so that I could get busy! When the last vehicle pulled away, I popped my trunk open and pulled several brown paper grocery bags and a small set of clippers out. I gathered several bags of wild grapes that day and arrived home to present my haul to my husband. Before long, our hands were purple from the juice and the kitchen was filled with a sweet earthy aroma that only wild grape jelly can produce. 

So, as I write this, I'm looking across the yard at the number of dandelions popping up on our property. Green leaves are returning to the trees. One of my sons popped the trunk of my car this weekend and asked about the paper bags and clippers. I smiled and told him to hop in and let's go for a ride to see what we might find. As we drove down the road, I wondered if they might look back upon these times, and wonder about what made their mother so enthusiastic about a roadside find like wild berries, grapes or flowers or the simple dandelion in the yard. I wonder if they too, will perhaps, keep a bag and clippers in the trunks of their cars. Or maybe, just maybe, they will simply open a jar of jelly and savor the sweetness along with a memory.