On Counting and Counting On

Some of the 170

     Count the growing daffodil bulbs, hoping most of the 170 planted last fall will grow.
     Count the chickens hoping the fox didn't get any (not so easy).
     Count the geese (easy, there are only 7).
     Count the strawberry plants that survived the winter; imagine all the strawberries.
     Count the apple trees that survived the winter and will bloom.
     Count the 2 cats, the 4 sheep, and the two horses as they come in at night.
     Count the seedlings in the greenhouse that germinated and are still growing.

First responders

     There are so many different things to count on the farm, consciously and subconsciously. Counting, especially when the numbers match, gives some continuity to each day and a feel of certainty in an uncertain world.
     However, counting on certain events where Mother Nature is involved, is an exercise in humility.  Just when you start to count on something, nature can come in and remind and prove once again that one cannot entirely control the environment.

Delicate apple blossoms

     So enjoy the wonderful thoughts imagining the beautiful daffodils to come out of hiding, the many pints of tasty strawberries, the seedlings growing into strong healthy plants, and the beautiful delicate flowers of the apple trees.  Notice there is no mention of counting on the sweet juicy taste of apples right off the tree.  Apparently, the trees were planted for the squirrels since they count on stealing every apple each year.

     

"All I have seen teaches me to trust
the creator for all I have not seen."
Ralph Waldo Emerson 

     If not counting the number of things than one can pretty much cautiously count on certain occurences.  The crocus will bloom first, then daffodills, the pear tree, the apple trees, delicate wild violets in the grass, azaleas, and strawberries and so on.           The wave of blossoms from all the different species one after another seems just too orderly, too much a part of a greater plan than leaving this progression to evolution.  One can only witness the blooms and feel that spring holds the magic of divine intervention.

  

Grape Tray Deluxe with Lemon Sauce 5*

Sauce 2 eggs, well beaten 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 1 to 2 Tbs grated lemon peel 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 lb seedless red grapes 1 lb seedless green grapes 1 lb seedless purple grapes

1   In medium saucepan, combine eggs, sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-low heat about 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in lemon peel and marshmallows until marshmallows are melted. Refrigerate. 2   Wash grapes and separate into clusters. Arrange on tray with bowl of lemon sauce in center; serve sauce with spoon.