I love the change of seasons. Spring to Summer… We like to move things around, decorating with the seasons around here. The end of spring brings warmer temperatures, a more casual feel, and Brighter colors… of White and Blue!
On the agenda for today was the carefully packing away of Spring items from the shelves and windowsills of the Kitchen. I make use of my flexible, strong son in having him climb up to fetch the things on the higher shelves.
We were excited to decorate for Summer!
I set my alarm for 5 am, hoping to get an early start before the others were up, with the bonus plan to surprise my family with a large, home cooked Breakfast. We rarely prepare more than Oatmeal, Fruit, and Yogurt in the morning on weekdays. I set the food to simmering on the stovetop, then started my cleaning/packing routine.
As I worked, I envisioned the family awakening to bacony smells, sweet, delicious aromas, seeing them in my mind’s eye coming to the kitchen bearing warm, grateful hugs, smiles, and the anticipation of a memorable meal.
Well… Not so much!
Memorable, Yes!
But the rest, no!
I got distracted by taking down and wrapping the Spring items, and did not watch the pancakes and crepes carefully in the skillet.
Instead of wafting bacon aromas going into the bedrooms, the shrill, blasting sounds of the Fire Alarm came in, with black, rolling smoke to awaken my slumbering family.
All the doors and windows were opened, fans turned on, and all mess was quickly corrected, but not without a few laughs. I was reminded:
“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft a-gley” [often go awry].
We learned this poem in our Homeschool English Class this year. It was a favorite! Written in 1786 by Robert Burns, the poem To a Mouse tells of how Mr. Burns, while ploughing a field, upturned a mouse’s nest. Don’t you find it delightful?
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane [you aren’t alone]
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promised joy.
After the “Clean Up”, my thoughtful husband, Mike took over the stove and fixed us a delicious Southern Breakfast – no scrimping here! Fried Potatoes and Onions, Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits with Buttermilk White Gravy, Sausage, and Bacon.
We discussed another great piece of literature over Breakfast: John Steinbeck’s 1937 novel –Of Mice and Men. Of course, Mr. Burns’ poem was the source for the Title of this classic book, which was added to our summer reading list.
Blue Willow 