Are You in Your Berries?

A day or two ago, I was walking along a favorite path near a friend's home when I heard a cacophony of birds. I don't know what genus or species of winged fliers, but there was a multitude—or more.

They came from hither and, I think, from yon. Some perhaps from as far away as thither. What a racket! They were gathered in Tim's backyard arbutus tree. The arbutus is a pacific species loaded with orange berries at this time of year. And birds.

The arbutus is a protected species of tree, and so stone-hard that you would hardly want to fell it in any case. They are unique and charming—in someone else's back yard. Few want them in their own yard as they are a messy tree, dropping leaves year-round, and on top of that literally, shedding orange bark year-round.

In spring, especially in the evening, they have a faint but enchanting perfume. And in autumn, a profusion of berries.

I was thinking about the life cycle of things, and the term 'in the pink' came to mind. We use that to describe a state of being when all is right and well. The thing is, that can be a transient phenomenon. The life cycle of trees and bushes is seasonal. They flower in the spring and put out their berries or fruit, which ripens from late summer to mid-autumn.

That's a satisfying and dependable phenomenon, unlike being in the pink. I don't actually think I'd use that phrase for a variety of reasons.

So how about a new term? Are you up for it? I hereby propose the phrase, 'in your berries'. It's a term that, pardon the expression, has to grow on you. Still, I think it has merit. To wit: 'in the berries' can be a term to describe reaping your due, following a season of diligence and labor. For example, "I've worked hard on this project, and now I'm in the berries." Ta da!

We could even use it to refer to seasons in life. "She took her retirement and is in her berries." I admit that particular phrasing could be misconstrued. We would have to distinguish from being 'in the grapes' connoting an indulgence for wine, or 'in your mugs, ' which I hear happens during Oktoberfest.

I submit my humble suggestion for consideration. After all, what else is going in in COVID?