Yesterday my husband and I spent the day in nearby Winston-Salem - it's about an hour away and a great place for a one-day getaway (or staycation, in 2009 parlance!). There are several antique shops that we like to investigate, including the one where we bought our giant pickle crock. No luck this time, however (although that could also be interpreted as lucky). We stopped at Old Salem and while walking through the town saw this vine. 
On closer inspection, you'll see what we saw - it's weeping! Many vines 'weep' when pruned, especially this time of year. I'm not sure if this vine was pruned yesterday or the day before, but it was certainly 'bleeding sap' (as old gardening books say). 
The vine itself was very pretty - bare and twisted and intricately surrounding the fence. But when the drops of sap caught the sunlight, it was positively sparkling. The sap from some vines is an irritant while the sap from grape vines is used in cosmetics (in French it's called les vignes pleurent - doesn't that sound nicer than grape vine sap?). Companies like Caudalie use many parts of the grape plant, including the seeds and sap, in products that tone, firm, and cleanse. So, if you have vines to prune this Spring, watch for the oozing sap . . . you might even check your favorite garden book or website beforehand to see if the sap is harmful or beneficial - it could keep you from weeping!The End ~~
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