13 June, 2020 - Red Ripe Raspberries & Double Yolks

Dear, Mom - 

How are you today? I hope you are healthy, happy, and well rested. I got to sleep a bit this morning, but I'm still pretty tired this evening. No matter. I'll be off to bed soon enough.

My goodness did it rain like crazy today. It was just raining down in buckets. It was a steady stream for a bit, too. Rain like that doesn't usually tend to last that long, but it had a good streak this early evening.

There was a point not too long after the storm had passed that I took Elsa outside for a quick minute. We went across the street (it's the best view of the St. Johns Bridge from there) and you could see the sky in a juxtaposition of grey clouds, big fluffy white clouds, and blue sky; even sunshine! Pretty.

This morning, I was making some breakfast sandwiches for Holly and I for brunch. She was working and due to go on lunch, so I thought it would be nice to make her something to eat so she could just relax for a half an hour instead of having to fuss in the kitchen. I made her an turkey, cheese, and fried egg sandwich on a toasted potato bun. When I went to fry the egg, I saw it was a double yolk. In some folklore, a double yolk means good fortune will fall upon you. I can't wait for that! I guess a double yolk happens about 1 in 1000 eggs. It isn't exactly common, but not exactly rare. I guess it also packs an extra punch of protein, too, so it's extra good to eat. 

Today was the first day that I was able to pick a handful of raspberries from the patch between our and Paula's house. We are going to have a great crop this year. Every time I bite into my first raspberry of the year, I am reminded of Aunt Grace's house and the wonderful berry patch out back. My love of berries came from there and the wonderful things you would bake with blackberries that we would pick from down by the river.

If you look at that raspberry between my thumb and index finger, you can gage the size of the berries. No to shabby, huh? Most of them tend to grow this size. They are very sweet when you get them right before they fall off the receptacle (the little white part that stays behind on the plant that the berry grows around). I just learned that today, too, so don't feel bad. Ha. Both Paula and I make jam or baked cooks with raspberries once they start to ripen. Paula also will bake with them for bakery goods at her sandwich shop. She makes all the pastries there. Before she became a chef, she had really wanted to be a baker. Unfortunately, she has a terrible allergy to flour, so big batches of treats comes at a cost. She gets incredibly stuffed up and puffy eyes. Kind of what happens to me when I'm around Cottonwood Trees. Anyway, I am happy the raspberries are coming out. I will try to bring you some soon. I want to make a berry crisp this season. And plant some berries in containers, too. I love me some berries!

I will try to talk to you today, Mom. I look forward to seeing you very much. I'm sending you a big hug and big kiss. MWAH! Your Daughter, Sally Ann