The neighbors across the street and two doors down have a plum tree in their side yard. In winter it displays the venerable, gnarled branches of a classic Japanese screen, and in the spring a cloud of white blossoms and the palest green leaves. In the summer its branches are weighted with a thousand dusky purple plums. The fruit is guarded by the Spaniel of Doom, who threatens to rend limb from limb all those who walk by. The only way to get any plums is to be within shouting distance on the afternoon that the neighbors are picking plums, stuffing them in bags, and offering them to all prospective victims of the Spaniel of Doom.
This year we happened to be at the right place (outside my house) at the right time (when the neighbor was picking plums). She was trying to pick as many as possible before they fell into the grass and created a mess for the family member who mows the lawn. Presumably the Spaniel is not inconvenienced by the fallen fruit.
The plums are delicious. The skins are tart but thin and the fruit inside is mostly juice. I eat them standing over the sink and I have to wash my face after.
208 words | July 4, 2004 08:27 PM | KitchenLucky for me my neighbors have a plum tree too, it is garded by the poodle of death who will lick you to death it you get too close :)
Posted by: david at July 5, 2004 07:03 PMThe Poodle of Death sounds okay. I wouldn't risk the Spaniel of Doom. Whenever he catches sight of anything moving outside of his yard, he barks like mad with all his teeth showing and no tail wagging. The demented look in his eye is quite offputting as well.
Posted by: Nee-chama at July 6, 2004 06:25 PM