Adam's Apples

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Rosy-fingered dawn of the harvest

ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς: The buds on the trees at Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts earlier today blush like eager debutantes While some in other climes report blossoms , we are in the chill stasis of a Massachusetts April. ¶ The cool temperatures slow the rhythms of spring. Magnolia, forsythia, and even cherry persist; apples are standing by.

Springing forth

A bud is opening on an apple tree in Lexington, Massachusetts yesterday. ¶ Some are reporting apple blossoms , but where I live things are still mostly buttoned up, though that is changing. ¶ It's still forsythia and cherries here, though just a few towns farther from the sea the magnolias are in full bloom. The apples cannot be far behind.

Things to come

Tomorrow's apples take shape on a tree at Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts earlier today. ¶ Pomological spring is a hopeful time, made dear by uncertainty.

Unboxing

Whan that April with his showres soot is when (whan?) GoldRush, that king of keepers, is ready to eat. ¶ It's also when I see how the ones I laid down in my refrigerator in December have fared in my home newsprint-and-perforated-plastic-bag storage system.

The big melt

Yes that's snow! March 9 at Hutchins Farm in Concord, Massachusetts. ¶ Temperatures here shot up from the 20s to the 70s (Fahrenheit) in the past week, so I hopped on my bicycle and peddled through the melt to Concord.

Cortland improves, McIntosh declines, in the winter

The Cortland apple has an ardent following. In September and October, I like Macs and Macouns, close Cort relations. Photo: McIntosh (L) and Cortland ¶ But lately, in February and now March, I have been enjoying Cortland's crisp vinous goodness. ¶ Let's see how it stacks up agains the Mac at this time of year.