MY FRIEND MIKE has an apple orchard. It’s not an active orchard, meaning he doesn’t market his apples. He shares them with family and friends.
The orchard came with the house he bought in the country some years back.
On a recent spring night after I arrive at Mike’s house for bible study, he gives me a tour of his yard. He’s a former floral designer/business owner and we share an interest in flowers and plants.
As is typical, I have my camera with me. As we walk, I notice that the sinking sun has cast a certain surreal softness upon the land. The lighting in the orchard is perfect.
So I snap this photo of apple blossoms that will grow into apples, which Mike will pick, then peel and slice into a pan and cover with a crunchy rolled oats topping hinting of cinnamon.
And then my friend will place a square of apple crisp upon a plate, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and hand the treat to me.
Then I will remember this beautiful spring evening when apple blossoms held the promise of harvest, and of apple crisp.
Apple blossoms on an evening in May.
Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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