Apple time

This is Clarence's latest creation. It's part of a fire extinguisher (not the foam kind), refashioned into a fruit picker. Mounted on an extension handle, it'll reach way up into a tree to get the fruit. We put a piece of foam in to help prevent bruising.



We don't know the owner of this apple tree but it's right around the corner from our house. Clarence and Allison were brave and knocked on the door to ask if we could pick his apples. The man gave them permission, then shut the door rather abruptly. As they turned to walk away, he re-opened the door and said "Thanks for asking."

There are two trees that seem to be the same variety that we really like. They are sweet with a bit of tartness. Allison has made some fantastic pies with them, plus we've got some in the freezer for later. They were delicious to eat fresh, too.

We each took a turn trying the picker out. It worked just like he hoped it would.

We've walked down and picked two or three times now. The spots that some of the apples have seem to be only skin deep. Once peeled, there's seldom any problems to deal with.

The neighbor has another tree, with a different variety of apples, that is just ripening now. We don't like the flavor as well, but Allison made an apple crisp with some of those apples and it was great-so we'll be going back for more.

(A couple pies Allison made.)

We dropped off a pie to the neighbor last week. He still wasn't all that friendly, but seemed to be quite happy to have the treat. Clarence thought he was already getting a fork by the time we left the driveway.