All posts by Sonja Hakala

I have been a professional writer since 1987. I've written for newspapers, magazines, worked in the book publishing industry, and published novels and non-fiction books. In addition, I've guided numerous authors through the process of independent publishing, and offer workshops in that same vein. I'm the founder of the Parkinson's Comfort Project and over the course of six years, we gathered and gave away over 500 handmade quilts to people with Parkinson's disease.
Carding Chronicles

Elderberry Wine

Ruth Goodwin, Edie Wolfe’s best friend, has a north-facing slope where she’s always wanted to plant elderberries.
Elderberry blossom for web
She finally got around to adding one bush—she calls it a test bush—to her yard three years ago.

This first year, it was not much more than the original twig she put in the ground.

Last year, it got to the size of a small bush and she almost forgot where she’d put it.

This year, it has taken full command of the yard area immediately surrounding it, towers way over Ruth’s head, and is blooming.

This is the true elderberry wine, the light fragrance of its flowers.

Every time she walks by, the elderberry reminds Ruth there’s a lot to smile about.