![\"Protected](\"https:\/\/www.tomgrimshaw.com\/tomsblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Protected_By_Blackberry_Security.jpg\")
Three men parked down on the road in front of our property a couple nights ago. They had bolt cutters and a plan to break into our shop. What they didn\u2019t have was respect for brambles.<\/p>\nThree men parked down on the road in front of our property a couple nights ago. They had bolt cutters and a plan to break into our shop. What they didn\u2019t have was respect for brambles.<\/p>\n
The first man hit the property line at a jog. He made it four steps. The canes took him like a cat takes a mouse \u2014 not quick, but certain. One barb in the jeans, then another in the jacket, then three in the scalp. He yelled. That was mistake one. Sound carries in a holler.<\/p>\n
The second man tried to go around. Blackberries don\u2019t \u201caround.\u201d They\u2019d swallowed the old deer path in \u201909. He pushed in with his forearm and came back with his sleeve in ribbons and blood running down to his elbow. The thorns are recurved, built to keep prey from backing out. Every time he pulled, they bit deeper.<\/p>\n
The third was smarter. He had a machete. He swung once, twice. The canes sprang back. Blackberry is whippy, green wood. Cut one, three more slap you in the face. He got ten feet in and realized he couldn\u2019t see the road anymore. Couldn\u2019t see his feet. Couldn\u2019t see anything but thorns and the dark. That\u2019s when the yellowjackets came up from a nest he\u2019d stepped on. They didn\u2019t care who was trespassing.<\/p>\n
Now, I didn\u2019t call the sheriff until sunrise mind you and we all slept just fine. The dogs didn\u2019t even bark \u2014 they knew the briars were working.<\/p>\n
The Sheriff found them at 6:40 AM, picking their way out to the road looking like they\u2019d lost a fight with fifty cats. One had to cut his own boot off to get his ankle free. The bolt cutters were still in the thicket somewhere. Nobody was going back for them.<\/p>\n
The Sheriff walked the edge with me, looked at the scratches on those men, looked at the wall of green and purple.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do this on purpose?\u201d the Sheriff asked as<\/p>\n
he popped a berry in his mouth. July-sweet, still warm from the night.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo sir,\u201d I said. \u201cI just quit mowing. The mountain did the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
I offered the Sheriff a hatful to take to the station. He took it. Evidence, he said.<\/p>\n
Folks in town started saying those folks up on Big Dog Reserve had the best security system in Smyth County. No wires, no batteries, no subscription. Just pays you back in cobbler.<\/p>\n
And if you ask me about it, I\u2019ll tell you the same thing my Dad said: \u201cA fence tells a man he\u2019s not wanted. A blackberry patch convinces him.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Three men parked down on the road in front of our property a couple nights ago. They had bolt cutters and a plan to break into our shop. What they didn\u2019t have was respect for brambles. The first man hit the property line at a jog. He made it four steps. The canes took him … <\/p>\n