Switching the Setting

Perfection for One Minute

Today I had perfection for at least a minute. I first went to the barn and milked Mercy, our cow, leaving me with a delicious pail of dairy.

The chickens were all prepared as I entered the coop. They were unusual chickens, ready to give up their eggs each time I came to collect. I plopped their white ovals into my basket and kept moving on to my next chore.

I had to make breakfast for my parents each morning. They were always late to come downstairs so I just put myself in the position of cook.

I made strawberry milkshakes using our fresh grown strawberries from the field. Mom preferred soy milk from the store, but Pa was fine drinking Mercy's offering in his shake.

Soon there were three plates with a mound of fresh scrambled eggs on them, a strawberry smoothie on the side and bacon from the store that I had grilled and placed gingerly on the plates. I refused to kill our pig (ironically his name was Bacon) for the strips of heaven.

I brought the plates to the table and set up the silverware caringly. When I called for mom and dad to come downstairs they came down very lazily.

"Hi Mom. Hi Pa. Breakfast is ready." I was sitting at the table waiting for them.

Pa grunted and Mom waved without looking at me. They were like this a lot of mornings, but only because of lack of sleep. They slept right by the chickens. Chickens wake up quite early and go to bed very late.

They came over to the mahogany table and sat down. We blessed the meal and started eating.

"So Utah, what plans do you have for today?" Pa asked me.

"I'm going over to Samantha's house so we can compare our chicken eggs. It's going to be so much fun!" I replied with a hint of joy in my voice.

"To compare chicken eggs huh?"

"Yep. Got a problem with that Pa?"

"Not a problem at all."

I smiled and continued to shovel eggs into my mouth.

"Now what have you got in store for yourself today, Honey?" Mom said to Pa.

"Just another job interview. Hopefully this will be the one."

I loved the thought of Pa getting another job. Just not one where we'd have to move out of the state of Tennesee.

I finished my smoothie and bacon and placed my plate on the counter. I kissed Mom and Pa then grabbed my pack so I could head over to Samantha's.