Duck eggs and and tangentially related matters
My fondness of duck eggs is no secret. A year ago, the ducks were in full lay. This year we've had fewer because, um, well, not just the heat, but because P, the ducks' "mother" was unwell and had a stint in hospital. Her partner delivered once, but has other fish eggs to fry. As it were.
The last delivery of duck eggs - back in February - poached - one of my favourite ways of eating them, for a salad supper.
The dressing: a harissa mayo, which was an experiment, is likely to become a regular side. Especially now that I've re-remembered it.
Why? Because this draft has been languishing in the ether since 11 February and in my draft, I said -
after a break, the ducks are laying again. I suspect that the heatwave predicted for the next couple of days will end that.
That, and the fact that when the weather cooled, I was so busy and then we were away.
Long explanation to a disturbing happening
It's strange that I came on this draft. I was thinking about what to prepare for April 5th as my day 5 #hiveblopomo contribution. We are scheduled to have no electricity from 6am to 6pm. Again. Last time - also for scheduled and for a substation upgrade - the lights went off as the clock struck 6 but didn't come on as promised, but after more than 15 hours.
I digress
Happening on duck eggs is weird because P's on my mind. This morning I had a call from friend SY, asking if I had heard about P's partner. I had not. It turns out that D (Ps) partner had been viciously beaten by a worker on the farm. The individual concerned has a history of belligerent violence. That aside, D is gravely ill.
I hope that by the time this automatically publishes tomorrow, I will have had good news. Right now, she's been transferred to a Cape Town hospital for tests for, among other things, brain damage. Last I heard, she was slipping in and out of consciousness.
The only good other thing to report: the perpetrator handed himself over and is in custody.
Please hold D and all who care for her, and those who care for them, in your thoughts. I hope to have an update by Thursday. Day 6.
Post script: I am trying to participate in @traciyork's April #HiveBloPoMo. I emphasise trying because RL - and my day job - have been so busy over the last while that I've not known which way to turn. That shouldn't stop you - or anyone. Read about how to participate here.
This is Day 5
Until next time, be well
Fiona
The Sandbag House
McGregor, South Africa
Photo: Selma
Post script
If this post might seem familiar, it's because I'm doing two things:
- re-vamping old recipes. As I do this, I am adding them in a file format that you can download and print. If you download recipes, buy me a coffee. Or better yet, a glass of wine....?
- and "re-capturing" nearly two years' worth of posts.
- From Wordpress, I use the Exxp Wordpress plugin. If this rocks your socks, click here or on on the image below to sign up.
- Join Hive using this link and then join us in the Silver Bloggers' community.
Original artwork: @artywink
- lastly, graphics are created using partly my own photographs, images available freely available on @hive.blog and Canva. she w
I love duck eggs as you know, so am jealous, I have not had one this year, I shudder to think how expensive they are if I do actually see some somewhere.
So sad to hear about the attack and hope you get news...
I know you do. As we have not had our quota this season, feel your pain. The news of D is not good.
That looks absolutely amazing!
It makes me very upset to know someone would be cruel to an animal. I hope it pulls through and the abuser is prosecuted.
Oh dear, I thought I was clear. D is a woman. She is the local go-to animal whisperer. The person who attacked her is in custody.
Oh my, that is what I get for being sleepless and reading posts so late at night and early in the morning. I feel so dumb now. On top of that, I have bad brain fog, so sometimes things don;t process correctly. My sincere apologies and my thoughts and prayers for D.
No worries, I am sometimes only half awake when I reply. Like now - it's not even 6am. Thank you for your good wishes.
So sorry about the duck's injuries.
You made me travel back in time.
When I was little there was a neighbor who had tons of animal farms in her house. I had never tried duck's eggs or goat milk. That lady allowed us to try those.
It was a treat. In time, her farm animals population dwindled and most of them disappeared.
I had never tried a duck egg ever since. It's not common for people to sell them or the meat in the market; same with turkey.
Hope D recovers.
Thank you for the good wishes for D - a woman and animal whisper. She and her loved ones need them all.
On a happier note, I am glad to have brought back good memories!