Sweet sixteen

In the first six months of this blog, which I started 16 years ago today, I tasted and described 44 different kinds of apples. ¶ 

That is not an annual milestone I ever passed, nor hoped to, because back then every apple was new to me. ¶ 

But last year came close, with 39 first-time varieties. That's owing to fall travel (to Quebec and England) and to the kindness of fellow apple aficionados who shared some of their favorite apples with me.

In any case, things add up over time. As of this writing my opinionated catalog counts 382 varieties, though to be sure that includes a few sports.

The year behind and ahead

In winter farmers care for trees, mend fences, and make plans. My winter work this year involved revising the look of this website and the software behind it.

That project consumed more time than I'd expected, or thought possible, shifting my thoughts from writing about apples to code.

I'm not sure that was worth it, but the result seems to be a better website for readers. No one has found fault so far, or expressed any regret at the few things that no longer work as a result.

The cusp of a new harvest

Looking ahead, I have no expectation of matching last year's windfall, but with the blessing will still find new things, and apples, to write about.

The early apples are trickling in, along with a corresponding uptick in your very welcome comments here.

The start of the new harvest, of fresh local fruit, makes me eager and hopeful.