Cottongrass-->Blueberries

I recently heard that traditional knowledge here indicates that a year with abundant cottongrass means there will also be plenty of blueberries.  I wish I could say that's what's been keeping me busy.  You could infer from my last post that the cottongrass made a good showing this year.  I have been berry picking some, but it was mostly because I needed some for a teacher workshop I just helped present.  But no, mostly I've just been working, especially these last few weeks.

The good news, well, there are two parts to it.  First, I didn't use all the blueberries during the teacher workshop.  Anyone who has spent time picking blueberries on the tundra can appreciate that.  It takes forEVER to get a decent amount of the tiny fruits, so every last one of them is appreciated.  The second part of the good news is that after a short, very busy summer, I'm taking leave for a couple of weeks to spend time with family and welcome a new member.  Put these two pieces together, and I'm able to attempt the transport of some small but delicious blueberries from the arctic tundra to cheer some family that has been sweating out the summer in Texas.  Whether or not they get there intact remains to be seen.  They seem to have made the first leg alright.  We still have 15 hours and two airports to go.

Kotzebue blueberries on their way to Texas

As for abundance, this is only my third summer, so I really don't know anything.  There were definitely patches that had plenty of them, but I think last summer was better.  I hope there are still some to pick when I get back.  I did freeze a couple small baggies of them.  I would have brought them all if I could be confident they'd make it in good condition.  Everyone I listened to said that when they've tried to travel with them, they end up all popped and mashed by the time they arrive.  Of course you could still bake with them or make things like smoothies, but it's nice to be able to grab a handful of fresh berries to pop in your mouth.  I waffled but decided that I might not be forgiven by at least one member of my family if I didn't try to bring some.

As I mentioned, I wasn't blueberry picking all summer.  There were lots of things I wanted to post and just couldn't seem to carve out the time.  I'll have to play a little catch-up now, so I might as well do it while I'm waiting at the airport if I can stay awake (sleep has been a luxury lately).  So, the next few posts will fall somewhere between the cottongrass and the blueberries.