Strawberries at Lughnasa

The strawberry, an environmental economist told me once, is the most ridiculous fruit to consume if one is hewing to the "low impact" model of consumption per calorie. Between the water costs of its production, the petroleum-based packaging, and the amount of energy expended transporting these fragile lobes to far-flung places... well, it's something of a sin against Mother Earth.

But when I walked into the Key Food this evening, there was a special of 2 lbs for 2 bucks. They were from Michigan. They were mostly dark red, and small, and sweeeeeet looking. And so I succumbed.

Home, washing them, picking off the stems, I tried to pray. (I guess I prayed, but it always, or often, feels more like such a mental performance more than a heartfelt communion, so I profess the attempt rather than parade too piously.) Thank you Bhudevi for making such gorgeous plants on your beautiful body. Thank you for giving us the bounty to trade for these beautiful berries. I plucked for about, oh, a dozen berries, and then I popped one in my mouth...

And the sense, the sweetness, the pleasure... ah, that experience is a communion with God itself. No doubt. Summer is here...