Bruises, Blueberries, Bushes and Belly Buttons : )

I am looking rough these days, the wounded warrior, blueberry farmer, and midnight hedgerow explorer that I have become.   Two of the newest bruises on my body are on my neck right above my collar bone in that really soft, hollow spot, and the other, high on my left buttock… they are my proud paintball badges...my first time doing it, actually, and it took place in Ocean City, Maryland in the company of my boyfriend and his family.  Now, two members of that wonderful family are totally responsible for pummeling my body with paintballs as I crouched in what I thought was the safety of my obstacle…oh, and it really does hurt to get shot where there is not protective padding  : )  Blueberry farming??  If you see me this time of year, my feet are almost always stained blue, since it is blueberry harvest season.  Oh, I have tried shoes, but for anyone who picks berries, and I mean for those truly SERIOUS berry pickers, you discover that crawling in the bush is the only way to fill your bucket fast.  And when you do, the berries squash inside those shoes and ….oh, it’s not good.  So barefoot is the only way…  As for hedgerow exploring and the other bruise I have on my upper arm, I advise against the decision to hide from people around midnight on an unfamiliar farm, because face-planting into a pricker bush and hitting a branch with your arm on the way down is not the best way to end the evening.  Oh, and I forgot to mention the new hole in my abdomen.  Since I was 18, I have wanted to pierce my belly button.  I’m turning 21 in September.  It was time to stop being a baby and believe everyone who told me that it was not going to hurt that much.  Umm…Yeah…it hurt...a LOT..  But according to the very kind man who stabbed me with that really huge needle, mine was one of the toughest piercings he has done.  He marveled at how long it took to get the needle through as I lay there with my mother’s hand crushed in my left fist, and my grandma holding down my legs so I didn’t accidently kick anyone.  : )  But it is healing nicely, I got to have a three generation gathering for my experience, and I have neon yellow glow in the dark jewelry waiting for me when I am all healed up. Alas, I continue my summer adventures amidst love, family, friends, new adventures, new jewelry, 150 blueberry trees and some unexplored rural acres in Northeastern PA.  I love my life : ))))