Jack Humm

Have you ever wondered what a reporter (journalist) does when the news is thin? There is a clear history as to the penalties incurred when you “invent” news, if you’re not super-careful. Today is one of those “thin-news” days in Reikorangi, with a light penetrating on-and-off drizzle, interspersed with the soft rustle of falling autumn poplar leaves.

But who is this Jack Humm character? Apparently, there are three people in the USA with this name. The name Humm in English (of Norman origin) was the nickname from Old French homme ‘man’ (Latin homo), representing an Anglo-Norman translation of German Mann. But, seriously, I doubt whether many people have any knowledge about this guy. It is merely the name of a variety of Crab apple.From the Malus family, there are more than 500 varieties of crab apples.  Popular types include: Jack Humm, Crimson Rod, Red Maroon, Golden Hornet and Barbara Ann.
These trees bloom lavishly in spring, with white, red or pink flowers – depending on the variety. And the fruit itself, which often ‘hangs around’ into the winter months, can provide a bright side to otherwise gloomy days.

The author of this description certainly is correct in his conclusion that the tiny crab apples can provide a sunny face on otherwise gloomy days.

We do not have Jack Humms, I’m not sure which one we have, but I came across a universal recipe for Crab Apple Jelly by (another) Jeanette on her blogpage Living the Good Life on 3 Acres in Nelson.  Maybe next year we will give it a go?

(Above): This morning I pulled on the old gumboots and did the ritual recce of the grounds, looking for dead animals, broken branches and traces of meteors that might have crash-landed under cover of darkness. also to greet and check on Jacko and Beebs at Goat Hill.  As usual, Bennie and Sophie were on my heels, not wanting to miss out on any alien meteors (or perhaps hedgehogs?). The walnut count was down to three and I managed to find half a dozen mature chestnuts among the mass of barren “mule” ones. As noted by the popular authors, the cute little windfall crab apples add a ray of sunshine to the grey overcast sky.

Not that a grey overcast sky doesn’t have an interesting character of its own. In fact, I like grey skies.