Wild Blueberry Summer: Embracing the Rhythms and Wonders of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Click on the triangle below to play
As the summer solstice ushers in the longest day of the year, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the beauty and spirit of the seasons. For those who cherish the quiet magic of lakeside living and the natural rhythms of life, Wild Blueberry Summer by Jon C. Stott offers an evocative journey into the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Drawing from decades of summers spent at a woodland lake, Stott captures the essence of place, memory, and the subtle wonders of nature with warmth and keen observation.
About the Author and His Connection to the Land
Jon C. Stott, a part-time author and longtime summer resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has spent over fifty years immersed in the tranquil beauty of a small woodland lake. Since retiring, he has written extensively about local sports leagues, craft beer travel guides, and the unique lifestyle of summer living in this region he affectionately calls “the little cabin in the big woods.” Four of his books are rooted in the Upper Peninsula, with Wild Blueberry Summer: More Upper Michigan Moments and Memories being his latest offering.
During the cold months, Jon retreats to Albuquerque, New Mexico, but his heart remains deeply connected to the forests, lakes, and wildlife of Michigan’s north woods. His writing reveals a profound love for place—not just the geography, but the community, the flora and fauna, and the spirit that animates the land.
Capturing the Spirit of Summer: What Makes Book Two Special
Unlike his first book, which was a collection of essays written over several years, Wild Blueberry Summer, book two in the series is a deliberate attempt to capture the full arc of a summer season—from May through September—with all its familiar rhythms and surprising moments. Jon wanted to convey the progression of life, from the early blooms of spring to the teenage loons learning to fly by summer’s end.
One memorable surprise from last summer involved an unexpected visitor in the cabin—an eighteen-inch garter snake that had been seeking warmth on the stove. This encounter, while startling, is emblematic of the close, sometimes humorous, relationship between humans and nature in this remote setting.
The Influence of Family and Legacy
Jon’s writing is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from his father, who was also a writer and a mentor in spirit. The book pays tribute to his father’s love of the lake and the outdoors, including poignant memories of his father’s final days spent surrounded by the wilderness he adored. His daughter, who now lives in New Mexico, also features as an important presence in the book, sharing in the joy and connection to the land when she visits.
Lessons Learned and Themes Explored
One of the key takeaways from Wild Blueberry Summer is the importance of appreciating the “little things” that enrich life. Jon recalls a childhood poem by W.H. Davies, Leisure, which begins with the line, “What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.” This sentiment resonates throughout the book as Jon describes moments of quiet observation—watching a loon parent herding her chick away from shore, noticing the delicate lady slipper flower, or simply sitting and absorbing the surrounding beauty.
The book also reflects on the balance between human presence and the natural world. Jon emphasizes respect for the land and its “more than human neighbors”—the deer, the birds, the insects, and even the bears and wolves that share the territory. His philosophy is one of gentle coexistence, recognizing that the forest and lake have their own rhythms and boundaries.
Wild Blueberries: A Symbol of Connection and Tradition
The annual blueberry harvest is a highlight of the summer, and Jon’s reflections on wild blueberries go beyond their taste and culinary uses. He shares insights into the spiritual significance of blueberries to the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people, who regard them as a gift from the star people in times of hardship. This reverence shapes his approach to picking blueberries—with gratitude, moderation, and respect for nature’s gifts.
Transporting frozen blueberries across the country to New Mexico, sharing them with friends, and making blueberry muffins become acts of connection—linking past and present, place and people.
Exploring the Upper Peninsula: Nature, History, and Stories
Jon’s love for the region extends beyond the cabin. He frequents places like Miner’s Castle and the Kingston Plains—sites that evoke both the history of logging and the resilience of nature. At Kingston Plains, he discovered a serviceberry bush growing from an old stump, a powerful symbol of nature’s restorative power.
He also expresses a desire to delve deeper into the stories of longtime residents and “more than human neighbors,” inspired by writers like Robin Wall Kimmerer. This idea of gathering and sharing folk tales, natural history, and personal memories may well inspire his future work.
What’s Next for Jon C. Stott?
In addition to his summer-themed books, Jon is working on a scholarly exploration of the Tarzan novels, analyzing the cultural and historical contexts behind the stories he loved as a child. He is also collaborating on a travel book focused on breweries and historic sites along the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
Despite his scholarly pursuits, Jon’s heart remains firmly rooted in the quiet beauty of the north woods, where the simple pleasures of life—canoeing, star-gazing, and blueberry picking—offer endless inspiration.
A Reading from Wild Blueberry Summer: The Joy of Staring
“When I’m at the little cabin in the big woods, I often take time to stand and stare. Sometimes I’m not staring at anything in particular, just letting impressions sink in. Other times, I see something really interesting that makes me focus my attention on it.”
Jon recounts a rare and thrilling encounter with a loon parent and her chick, emphasizing how taking the time to be present and observe enriches life in unexpected ways. This moment encapsulates the spirit of the book—finding wonder in the natural world by simply pausing to notice it.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Season and Place
Wild Blueberry Summer invites readers to slow down and immerse themselves in the rhythms of nature and the deep connections to place that define life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Jon C. Stott’s reflections remind us that even in a rapidly changing world, the constancy of the seasons, the enduring beauty of the land, and the simple joys of summer can ground us and enrich our lives.
Whether you’re a long-time resident, a lover of nature, or simply seeking a literary escape to a serene lakeside retreat, Jon’s stories offer warmth, wisdom, and a gentle call to appreciate the “little things that mean a lot.”
