Something to Crow About

This hunting season, I was fortunate to be invited to help control the deer population on an association property, the centerpiece of which is a small working farm. I was delighted to discover a small, discreet farm stand in one of the barns where, in the finest Island tradition, visitors record their purchase in a notebook and make their own change from a cash box.

This week, before heading to a ground blind I had set up on a deer travel route, I took a few minutes and visited the farm stand. 

The offerings are limited this time of the year. But inside the refrigerator were cartons of large, beautiful eggs. The luminescent color of the egg shells reflected a vitality and freshness that is not part of my usual shopping experience. I’m the guy in Stop & Shop who grabs the cheapest carton he can find, irrespective of whether or not the hens who produced the eggs have names or get to listen to classical music.

I appreciate much about the Island’s natural bounty. Black sea bass in season, venison, and tomatoes out of my friend Tom’s garden, and more. I just hadn’t given much thought to eggs.

I didn’t see a deer that evening during shooting time. I wasn’t surprised. The deer have been mostly nocturnal due to an abundance of acorns and warm weather.

I didn’t care. When I walked into the house and saw my wife, Norma, all I could do was crow about my carton of a dozen farm-fresh eggs.

This rooster’s got something to crow about. He is surrounded by beautiful hens who produce lovely eggs.