There wasn’t a child in the country who didn’t go out blackberry picking in the 70’s and into the 80’s. And of course long before that too.
We’d go in small groups, walk for miles in our wellies to find the best blackberry bushes. Our buckets sat nearby, and we used a can or a jar to collect the berries; the red and green ones went in as well the dark purple juicy ones. When our can was full we’d tip it into the bucket. Scratches on our hands didn’t bother us, neither did damp feet when our wellies had holes in them.
On a Saturday we stayed out until our buckets were full. We went for as many days until the blackberry bushes were bare.
Blackberries by Lucy McBreen
We did it for the fun, but mostly it was for the money. We’d take our berries back into town and bring them into Peter Murtagh’s yard. He weighed them and paid us. It was very little but a fortune to us. If it had been a good day’s picking we went straight to Francey McDonald’s for sweets but didn’t spend all our money. We had to have something to show our parents for our long day’s work!
The more berries we had in our buckets, the more money we got—which is why we didn’t eat very many. A certain lad or lassie would add a few stones into their buckets to increase the weight. Not me!
This lad put more berries into his mouth than he did in his bucket!
I spent quite a while considering what I’d do with a random gift of €100. I wanted to be honest and to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Today I know exactly what I’d do with it.
We’re going to the City of Tribes tomorrow. Galway! There’s nothing quite like the buzz of Galway City on a normal day, but around Christmas time, it’s more of a sparkly fuzzy buzz. Now…throw in the Christmas markets and what do you get? An injection of the jollies and feel good vibes!
I love to support the stall holders at the markets but my Christmas budget never allows me to buy from them all, and this year is no different. I’m sure they enjoy being a part of the markets, but for most it’s their livelihood, and I’ve no doubt it can’t be easy, especially considering the times we live in. Not to mention our unpredictable weather.
So…what if €100 magically appeared from nowhere, you know…just appeared? In an envelope maybe, with a big sticker on it that says; Spend as you Wish Gloria. Sure, I’d take it with me to Galway. My purse forgets what cash looks like.
Would I spend it all on myself? Tut tut…of course not! Not all of it.
The plan is forming in my head. I’m visualising Stephano sitting at the top of the big wheel with Little Miss Ten and our Spanish exchange student, Alice. As I’m not a fan of heights, I’ll wander around all wrapped up in my winter woollies. The smell of bratwursts and mulled wine will tease my taste buds. I know I’ll buy a mulled wine. Nothing like it to warm the cockles!
As I sip on my mug of hot spiced vino, I’ll watch the smiling faces of wide-eyed children, and adults alike, as they go round and round on the colourful carousel. I took a ride on it a couple of years ago and I held on so tight that my fingers went numb. Scary!
Carol singers will have me under their spell, as their joyous choruses gently remind me of the true meaning of Christmas. I’ll stand for a while and sing softly with them. I’ll remember my dad who is gone two years, and my mother who can’t seem to accept his passing. I’ll feel sad for a moment, but then I’ll move on. I’ll smile to myself and shift my sombre thoughts to the good things in my life. It has to be that way, because dwelling on sadness might lead me to a miserable existence.
I’ll find a hat stall. Instead of adding another hat to my colossal collection, I’ll buy one for my daughter, who seems to have my hat collecting genes. And if I see an exceptionally gorgeous one, I’ll get it for myself. One new hat per year is totally acceptable.
Oh…handmade soaps. Can’t pass them. The floral and herby scents will entice me to part with my cash. And all that pretty packaging…gimmee! It will be a present for someone of course, but if I can’t think of anyone who appreciates handmade soap, I’ll keep it for myself. My mother won’t be getting it because I bought her one about 20 years ago and it’s still in her bathroom in its wrapper. Soap is for using!
What my mother appreciates better than smelly soap is chocolate. Her most favourite thing in the world. I’ll find a chocolate stall and pick out something she’ll like. Now, she wouldn’t refuse any type of chocolate, but she has her favourites; nutty, chunky, velvety. I’m sure there’ll be plenty to choose from.
When Stephano and the girls come down from their dizzy heights, I’ll take them for a bratwurst. A wee taste of Germany and we can pretend for a few minutes that we’re in Garmisch—Partenkirchen on the snowy slopes. Or perhaps we’ll share a taste of Spain with Alice, by having a dish of paella.
I’ll buy something crafty, like hand-painted ceramics and jewellery, a quirky Christmas decoration for my son and his girlfriend. I should have some money left over for some mistletoe and holly to take to my daughters house on Christmas Day. €100 doesn’t really stretch too far.
Yes, it’s lovely to dream about spending money. We do know it’s not all about the money but by spending it in the right places, we’re helping someone to live. Whether it be through a charity or supporting a small local business, you’re doing somebody a favour.
Gloria McBreen 