The Quest for the Late-Summer Gang: A Stone Fruit Story

Summer Magic rests quietly in the shade of his plumcot tree. For over 100 days, he has clung to that tree, sustaining rain, wind, dazzling sun, and storms, and he’s tired. Suddenly, the birds above him go quiet, and he hears voices rolling into the orchard.

“We have to find them before it’s too late!” a sweet voice calls.

“Don’t worry, Dapple Dandy, we will find them,” another replies.

Summer Magic turns his round body towards the voices and calls out, “Who are you looking for?”

Dapple Dandy rolls over, his spotted red and yellow skin bright against the grass. “The Late-Summer Gang!” he says. “Summer is almost over, and we have to find them all before it ends.”

Summer Magic smiles, “Well, you’ve found one right here. The rest of the crew are a few trees away.”

Summer Magic nods to where his beautiful friends soak up the sun: Lady Empress, August Fire, and August Flame. Two have slightly fuzzy skin, one is smooth, and they’re all blushing red.

Dapple Dandy sighs with relief, “I just couldn’t let summer end without finding you. Can we stay here?”

“Of course,” Summer Magic replies, “Let’s enjoy these last few days of summer together.”

The moral of the story: Never write a newsletter while reading epic fantasy with the names of summer stone fruit varieties floating in your head. Or do. Especially if you’re enjoying a juicy late-season plumcot, pluot, peach, or nectarine from your FruitGuys box.

Stone fruit season is ending early in some parts of the country, so like Dapple Dandy and Summer Magic in my story, I hope you savor it while you can.

Cast Credits: Summer Magic™ plumcot, Dapple Dandy pluot, Lady Empress white peach, August Fire yellow nectarine, and August Flame yellow peach.