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Kate Henry's avatar

Functional friendship to be sure. ))) There are some kind of pine-ish trees that cover the road with yellow orange pollen. Confused me the first time I saw it. Poplars from the meadow make snow storms with their little seeds. This year is the first I saw the flower racimes open with white fluff. Wind scatters them like warm snow. They're done now. Wild mustard doing its thing. Beautiful bad dangerous Wild Parsnip is shoulder high at crop edges. Learned the hard way about those. Chartreus flowers like white Queen Annes. Sap makes astounding blisters and scars. Do not gather seeds for your garden. Could use a little of that tea today. )) Blue with white text is nice. )))

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for the warning about wild parsnip! Sounds horrible. The worst allergen for me is pine pollen, which is unfortunate when living on the California coast. Glad you like the blue theme. I am experimenting.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Sometimes we just know what we need, don't we? Fabulous words, Sharron. xxx

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Sometimes the combo of friend, sugar, and alcohol is the perfect prescription. Sometimes just the alcohol will do.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

“Shameless lack of self-restraint?” Or a wise use of available resources?😉

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

There you go. Wish I had thought of that rationale! Smart man.

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Sharron, you just had to mention apple crisp didn't you, haha? What I wouldn't give for a taste of my grandmother's apple crisp...Thanks for sharing. - Jim

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hah! Glad that sparked a memory. Apple crisp from the supermarket may do in a pinch, but it is not grandma's, is it. The idea of eating it straight from the pan appeals to me.

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

No ma'am. Not even close. Whether it was apple crisp or a peach, apple or cherry pie the magic was always in the buttery, perfect crust. She used lard when baking which I'm sure most people nowadays would lament for all of its unhealthiness. Also, the huge old oven she use to use was an antique masterpiece in itself.

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James Ron's avatar

3-4 days get me pretty good, but rolling hillsides of wild mustard is almost worth it. - I suspect you are the "bad influence," Sharron. : ) A very nice color blue for your post background, btw.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ah, James Ron, I hardly remember what "bad" means these days, more's the pity. I have been experimenting with colors for 🌿Leaves. I think I like this blue best. Thanks for noticing.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Camino Real the mustard was cast to show the way and provide sustenance to travelers. I find eating some flowers curbs allergies and sauté the leaves for a delicious feast as your piece of writing filled me with joy and sunshine.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

A bit of history! Thanks Richard. We ate mustard greens a lot when I was a child. Free food was always welcome in our family, and it grew everywhere. Water cress and curly dock as well. Grandma put nasturtium flowers in our salads and the flowers from the zucchini and pumpkins were egged, breaded and fried.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Try nasturtiums flowers and leaves on a cheese pizza. Aims to please with just the right bite.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Peppery, if I remember right.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Yes, yellow, red and orange flowers entice and vitamin c with green of leaves. I made a happy face with nasturtiums on top of pizza with mushrooms and black olives.

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Wade Terry's avatar

Good friend, tea & brandy, apple (sugar) crisp, and wandering conversation seems a perfect recipe for a morning nap.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

A prescription from the Divine Physician, if you ask me.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

I think I feel a sneeze coming on....I'm headed to the kitchen to put a kettle on! Seriously, to have a best friend is one of life's greatest blessings.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

And you are a blessing to me - that's certain.

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palmisanocj@yahoo.com's avatar

Wonderful, Sharron! Personally, I think "warm apple crisp" would be the best cure for any of life's ills. My mouth was watering as I read. AND no need to inform us they are best friends when you reveal that together they ate "the sweet, gooey stuff right out of the pan." Mmmmmmmm! xo

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

My friend, you can bring me sweet gooey stuff, warm in a pan any time at all. I have two large spoons and a bottle of brandy in the cupboard... Your ginger cookies are also welcome.

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palmisanocj@yahoo.com's avatar

Will do!

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

Love ❤️ It! So vivid!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

The terror and exhilaration of being 17... I remember it well. I am sure you do as well, Yael. Thanks for the comment.

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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

..lotta ‘little infelicities round here - some might even say ‘major infidelicities eh ! 🦎🏴‍☠️

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

This lovely story reminds me of my friend, Norma, who was my mentor in all things. Mostly about growing up and out of my childhood restraints. We'd sit on her deck, a jug of Gallo rotgut between us, discussing our joys and sorrows for hours.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

We all dream of having that one great friend, don't we? I have had a couple great friends in my lifetime. I still have one, but only long distance. God bless the Normas in our lives.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

without them, where would we be? Now that's an interesting question, one of those quantum. alternate lives things. Have you ever toyed with that one?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Nope. You write it, I'll read it.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I'll do my damnedest.

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Bonita Mugnani's avatar

I need some medicine and apple crisp for my sneeze, pleeze.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Of course you do. Thanks

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Switter’s World's avatar

From the results at the end of the story, I will argue that they are excellent influences on one another.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Mr Switter!

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

A delightful portrait of a pair of old friends.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh, thanks so much, KC. A friend like that is such a gift, isn't it?

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Linda Cardillo's avatar

Sounds like a" comfortable "day to me.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes, me too. Thanks for reading this little story, Linda. I appreciate so much your browsing through the Archive.

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