Yesterday, I made a lemon pie for a get together with friends. It had been a long time since I’d plunged my hands in a mound of dough, and it felt like talking to an old friend. I grew up baking with my mother at my side, and last night, I dreamed of her. The unconscious knows the threads that bind.
             
My mother has been gone from my life since September, 2010, but she is  never far from my thoughts. In the dream, we are spectators at a “worldwide” exposition. Acres of exhibits and thrill rides await us, as if Disney World and Epcot had been joined. Somehow, we kept getting separated, sending me in a frantic search only to find her riding the roller coaster, or navigating a raft down a raging river. I had no idea how she managed to do this, given she was confined to her wheel chair, and when I asked, she patted my hand, and smiled, her expression full of courage and unbridled happiness.

Dreams are mysterious to me. Often, I am left shaking my head: now where did that come from? But this dream spoke with conviction.  My mother was my # 1 cheerleader. She always knew what to say when I was full of doubt, or afraid.  Now, I can only look at her picture, or find her in my dreams. I must remember to bake more often. 

 

             
Careercast.com published this week a rating of 200 occupations, based on
“mounds of data.” Five factors were considered: Environment,  Income, Outlook,
Stress, and Physical Demands .      
      
Drum roll please: Farmer: 179. Dairy farmer: 199. (Lumberjack snagged the bottom.) 
            
Interesting how incongruent this is to the FB and blogs of farms I follow. I guess it all comes
down to who you are and what brings you happiness. Farming is hard work and long hours,
and I appreciate those who take the time to share their stories. Here’s a week of farm news
from the east to the west, all posted in good humor:        

Hope, age 8, pets the new piglets at her family’s Sugar Mountain Farm in Vermont. 

At Henry’s Farm Stand, the 44-40 John Deere is ready for planting corn in New York.

NY's  Northview Diary reports the grass is stalled, freezing, or drying up, but the birds have
returned. 
       
From the Tractor Seat,  the "purple" cotton seed is in the ground and they are hoping for a
 good Alabama rain. 
      
Minnesota’s Zweber Farms YouTubed their cows romping in spring pasture (see video).   
      
The Griggs of North Dakota are preparing barley seed during the cold snap and hoping for warmer nights.  
       
Morning Bray fertilized and irrigated pasture in New Mexico.      
  
And the Dairy Goddess in California has been busy promoting their farm’s new
non-homogenized Chocolate Milk at the Fresno Food Expo. 
           
As for farming in Arizona, we ate our first tomato of the season last
night. Life is best when you create, and give thanks.