This illustration was done by Kristi Coghlan who is our writer, Karina Coghlan’s mother.
Rising with the sun and the cluck, cluck of chickens waiting to be fed, Marigold steps outside to a bright and brisk morning. Golden rays of the sun bounce off the clouds and over the mountains, creating a simple, romantic feel on this spring morning. After what seemed like a never-ending winter, she begins her newly reinstated routine.
While watering the flowers, she notices a honey bee already hard at work, gathering pollen from the daisies. Each bee buzz complements the sound of shining water droplets tapping on flower petals and drumming on dirt. In the middle of the flowerbed, she finds the hollyhock already drooping over. A closer inspection reveals all the roots have been eaten by a gopher, the arch nemesis of any beautiful garden.
Over by the grape vines, a slithering, sandy, scaly head eases its way out of a different hole. Instantly, her heart pounds, while she drops the hose and sprints into the house. A gopher snake may be a friend to the garden and take care of her rodent problem, but she’d rather not ever have to see it.
After calming down and turning off the hose, it was time to feed the hens and check the nesting box. There, resting on the pale straw, lay two brown eggs—the first eggs of the year! Marigold had been dreaming all winter and waiting all spring to eat rich and tasty farm-fresh eggs for breakfast.
Crack! The shell breaks open on the side of a mixing bowl. A deep orange yolk slides out as she pulls each half of the fractured shell apart. Compared to the dull yellow yolks of store-bought eggs, the farm-fresh egg yolks were vibrant and beautiful. She repeats the process, cracking the other egg and letting it drop into the bowl. Adding the remaining dried herbs from last year’s garden, she quickly whips it up with a fork, and pours the mixture into a warm copper skillet. The liquid gold warms slowly and begins to firm. Marigold folds over the eggs, sprinkles shredded cheddar cheese, turns off the stove, and places a lid on the skillet to melt the cheese with steam.
Soon, a hot plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and buttered toast is placed on the kitchen table. Marigold pulls the rattan chair away from the table to sit. The brilliant sunflower cloth slides over to reveal a silky orange cat no longer asleep in the seat.
Crankily looking up at her, Tiger lets out a loud, whiny meow, informing the house that he was rudely awakened from his morning nap. He forgives her, but only after being relocated to her lap. As Marigold enjoys her breakfast, Tiger falls back to sleep. That golden spring morning would turn into a golden afternoon.
This was written by our contributing writer, Karina Coghlan.
Leave a Reply