When you’re 11 and in love with strength, power and baseball, apples can take on a near-mystical function. “Have you ever thrown an apple off a stick?” Uncle Sullins asked. I shook my head, and that brought Uncle Sullins off the porch and into his backyard. My brother, 18 to my 11, curious about this little adventure, joined us. Uncle Sullins found a broken branch, pulled out his pocket knife and quickly whittled a sharp point at the end of the stick.