Comments on: Dandelion Wine

By: elaine

elaine — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:19:20 +0000

What a wonderful passage, so evocative of summer. I have never heard of anyone making dandelion wine, I imagine it turns out sort of whisky flavoured. Just going off to see if I can find a copy of the book, sounds right up my street.

By: Arthur L. Matthews

Arthur L. Matthews — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:53:21 +0000

My father and mother read that book (Dandelion Wine) and actually began making dandelion wine in the 1970′s, “Doc’s Private Stock.” I was just entering my teen years at the time. I spent many a summer picking bucket after bucket of dandelion heads from every neighbor’s yard my dad could wrangle. It was not a job to be rushed, but one to languish in. Lying about on the grass, contemplating life, dissecting the buds, discovering an occasional reptilian or amphibian surprise hidden in the surrounding grass. Becoming a young aficiando, I sometimes used the excuse that the best heads wouldn’t ripen unless I allowed the grass to grow just a bit longer before mowing the yard. I suffered at my own hand then as I would have to painstakenly reap the little yellow buttons on my hands and knees and then cut grass that was over 8 inches tall.

After the juices were bottled and aged, I often slunk off to the basement when the cat’s were away to taste the fruits of my efforts being careful to squirrel away the bottle lest my indulgence be detected. I never knew it at the time but I was “caught” several times, but the cats let the mouse play knowing I wouldn’t get into too much trouble at home without a driver’s license and miles from any temptations.

My mother and father have both passed now. Dad died just this summer on September 6th. He was 85. He loved making wine and the attention he got for making dandelion wine. My memory of the flavor has been lost to a million sensory experiences since, but I imagine it is a buttery, warm and citrus-like flavor.

Miss you, mom and dad. Thank you for the wonderful memories. I apologize that I did not appreciate you more at the time.

By: lialeendertz

lialeendertz — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:54:29 +0000

It does! Do read! There are pages and pages I would have liked to copy out, and really struggled to restrict myself to that not-exactly-brief passage above. Highly recommended if magical evocations are your thing.

By: lialeendertz

lialeendertz — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:52:26 +0000

Nicey lowered, that tone. In fact we did once make dandelion wine, inspired by that passage. It tasted not unlike the liquid you’re discussing (i imagine, i havent actually tried). Some things are best left as fiction.

By: Simon S

Simon S — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:47:31 +0000

Aah yes the old Piss-en-lit. As kids the merest sight of the milky sap from dandelion stalks was enough to cause sleepless nights for fear it would be responsible for nocturnal micturation. Those were the days *sighs wistfully*

By: JaneR

JaneR — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 05:50:30 +0000

That is just perfect. I’ve never read Ray Bradbury and now I’m torn between thinking I must and worrying that the rest won’t match up to that magical evocation.

By: MarkD

MarkD — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 21:29:20 +0000

Lovely. Some writers dont have to try do they. Although Im sure i remember as a kid being told something about dandelions making you wee yourself *spoils mood*

By: lialeendertz

lialeendertz — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:58:26 +0000

Was probably you that got me reading it… Not sure I read any others, or if I did, they didnt have the same impact on me somehow x

By: Lyssa Randolph

Lyssa Randolph — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:11:14 +0000

aawww you know I love that book… and I sing the body electric, and fahrenheit 451, and so on….

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Lyssa Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2012 16:01:52 +0000 To: lyssarandolph@hotmail.com