what if...

Do you find yourself sometimes spinning in thought to another reality? Here's one that's been floating around for me: what if we were all born to consume just plants? No animals at all. Protein derived from vegetables and legumes. What if all mammals foraged on stuff that grows rather than stuff that runs or crawls? I mean, if a giraffe or an elephant can live on roots and fruits, wouldn't it have been cool if all animals evolved to do the same? Ed and I used to watch a lot of nature shows but lately I've turned away from them. Too much violence! Nests raided, young animals hunted down by lions and tigers and humans and hawks -- it's one big massacre out there. I can't watch it anymore.

Though we eat almost no meat, Ed and I are not purists in this. If served some, we wont refuse it. And we routinely eat fish. But I can't help thinking that it would have been truly awesome if we were born to be like groundhogs or deer: roots and shoots and fruits. That's it.

This idea came back to me full force in the middle of the night when Ed came in and told me that we'd lost Rosie, our young pullet, to a predator. She'd been impossible to corral into the coop in the evening (such a bird brain! she often has a hard time aiming for the door!) and so Ed paused for a while to let her settle down. The hens get drowsy at night and they're easy to handle then. But by the time he returned to the barn, we had had a visitor. Some beast had come and taken her away. He'd also attempted to destroy the coop, judging from what damage was done to the roof, but that proved to be a futile effort. Still, the little girl became someone's late night supper.

The morning walk was deflated. Definitely some air had gone out of our spring balloon.

(just two little ones now...)

Breakfast on the porch.

Sigh...

We've shared news of other chicken casualties with the kids, but this one feels too fresh and so we put the topic aside when Snowdrop comes over after school. It was her last day as a kindergartner and honestly, it's cause for celebration of sorts. I mean, what a year!

From remote learning, to a hybrid model, to in-class instruction, but with masks and distancing, though less distancing halfway through spring. Was there anything normal, steady, reassuring or reliable about any of it? Yet the girl sailed through and managed to come out with a smile today. And of course her smile is our smile.

(the kids wrote and illustrated books marking their faves and their milestones...)

It's a hot day, but the breeze kicks up and you feel almost okay with it. At least in the shade. Heading to the farmette I ask her -- would you like to go to Bernie's Beach? It's almost on the way...

She and I used to go there after school -- it's the park with a small sandy beach that borders the "lesser lake." By summer, most of the lakes in Madison have algae levels that make them unhealthy for swimming, but at this point the beach is still open for business and in the hour after school, it's pretty empty.

Oh, how Snowdrop loves splashing in the water! I did not bring a swimsuit, but with minor adjustments, we get her ready to hit the water.

We don't stay long. A number of other kids begin to arrive and I haven't the confidence in how much anyone is following precautions these days. But it is enough to give her that joy of sand and water that truly marks the beginning of summer vacation. 

At the farmhouse we're back with the books, the fruits, the trees outside and the check of her favorite flowers.

Summer stuff, all of it. Well, maybe not the books!

As I drop Snowdrop off at home, I catch a moment with Sparrow...

... and I take a very chill Sandpiper for a little bounce on the knee.

Evening. I had promised myself a new cooking idea for tonight's supper and so I put in a small amount of effort to produce this pie with spinach, escarole and a few turnip greens. Onion, garlic, a couple of cheeses.

Good taste, good smells from the oven. I ask Ed if he likes the "pie.". He says "yes," but it's not a bouncy yes. 

So, should it go on the rotating menu?

Maybe not. When pressed, he tells me it tastes like it's on the heavy side. I suppose it's the pastry, since the stuffing is rather on the lean end of things. Certainly no heavier than that of a frittata. But then he adds -- I like that you're making new things again.

Yes, I like that too.