I finished the 2nd batch of plum syrup I had extracted for 10 days with sugar -- by boiling and waterbath canning. 2 more 12-oz jars in the cupboard, plus a little more added to the open jar in the fridge. The shriveled plums are like soft prunes. 1/2 went in the fridge in a jar, the other 1/2 in the dehydrator to toughen up a little bit and be more chewy.
I asked my older DD to go out and pick some more ripe plums as I'm experimenting with making Japanese umeboshi with these European plums. DD went willingly, wanting me to make more plum syrup and prunes. When I went outside to see how she was doing, she and younger DD, who was helping, were entranced: It turned out that Spicebush Swallowtails had discovered the squirrel (and chipmunk!)-dropped spoiling plums on the ground and in the branches. Gorgeous black wings with splashes of bluest BLUE, fluttering all around, some engaged in aerial mating dances. There were also Black Swallowtails interweaving.
"It's SO peaceful under the plum tree!" DD exclaimed in a hushed voice, with glowing eyes.
