Breakfast was finished. Laundry sorted, and I’m putting the first load in the washer.
“I think I’ll walk over and check on the blackberries.” That was my husband calling out from the family room.
“If you’ll wait until I’m finished here, I’ll wander over with you.”
And off we went fairly early this morning. Our wandering takes us just around the corner from our house. The blackberries grow wild along the perimeter of the land on which sits the saddest house in the neighborhood. No one has ever seemed to love it, and vines have grown up over some windows and doors. It sits vacant. Its elderly owner unable to live there any longer. She refuses to sell.

But the blackberries are not daunted. As most of us know, wild blackberries are tenacious and grow usually where you don’t want them. White blossoms could be seen before we hit the bottom of the hill. The sun glinted on berries, red and black, and some not tinged with color yet.
On this morning, we find their transformation underway from buds and blossoms to red berries turning to black. Not quite read by a taste test taken while checking out the quantity.
“Another day or two of this sunny weather, and they’ll be pie ready.” My husband smiles and nods in agreement as he pops just one more berry in his mouth.
We turn and walk down the road, taking the long way home.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Since early morning I had tried to write, but nothing was coming to the fingers and keys I manipulated. That’s when I stopped to sort the laundry.
Returning from our berry walk, I resumed my place at the desk in front of my laptop. And suddenly the fog cleared and mental clarity struck. I began writing, and soon it was coming together on the screen.
Clearing the head, exercising the body, breathing fresh air combine to make for a good restart to your writing. Try it the next time you’re stuck.
* * *
“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”
~ Hilary Mantel
Lovely insight into breaking out of a block. My neighbour’s garden is completely overgrown, but the consolation are the branches of blackberry that have come into mine, which I shall pick with pleasure come September!
Seems several of us are waiting on those blackberries, but the wait is quite worth it! Thanks for stopping by.
Very true It’s when you’re not thinking of writing that thought come forth. It’s cold here which is a shock
Sue, well stated. Cold there? Not here — we’re unusually hot.
Laundry, inspecting the garden, calling a friend, all these give my subconscious mind time to stew, re-organizing my thoughts and getting me ready to write again.
Yes, most any distraction will do that, won’t it? Now, all I can think about is picking those blackberries and making a pie, and that does not fit into my memoir. 🙂
I agree, Sherrey. There are times when we need to walk away, take a break, and refresh our minds. For me, taking an outdoor walk helps get the creative juices flowing again. Blessings!
Joan, I thought about you yesterday as we walked, knowing how much you enjoy a good walk. Looking forward to the day when you are back among us writing. I’m going to email you about a guest post. 🙂
This is absolutely true – even a few laps of the house can help! We have a blackberry bush in the garden that hubby is cultivating – roll on September when they should be about perfect. 🙂
How lush to have the blackberry bush in the garden! You can just go pick one or more when you want come September. BTW, enjoying your book — review coming soon. 🙂
Great, thank you. I’m pleased that you are enjoying it and I very much look forward to the review. 🙂
The bush isn’t managing to get many berries on it at the moment but we also have a plum tree, strawberry and raspberry bush and a redcurrant bush so in theory…we should have lots!
Our strawberry crop has come and been devoured. But we still have raspberries coming on as well as marionberries. So, we’ll be enjoying something tasty for awhile, including the blackberries. 🙂
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