Ode to the Cow

I'm doing a second poetry post this month and here's why: each month the poetry group participants suggest, discuss and choose a theme for the month. The proposals are diverse, but some are thrown out there just as a joke. A member may google that month and find some interesting tidbits, especially since there's now a day set aside for pretty much everything.

Jules suggested Reflection. Lydia put out a number of serious themes, but also added that July has a Cow Appreciation Day. I jumped on that and I wasn't alone. With my vote we were tied. Of course we were. I abstained and we went with the theme Reflection. But I really, really wanted to wax poetic about my appreciation for cows. Turns out a few brave friends did too. Today's the day.

I've actually written about cows before believe it or not (well, their male counterparts anyway), about four years ago. But since Full of Bull is about my having learned of the mortifying practice of eating . . . well . . . their private parts, I'm not sure that one really falls into the realm of cow appreciation. 

Let's correct that now.

Ode to the Cow

Mrs. Cow, to you I vow,
appreciation, here and now.

It's your day, and may I say,
amazing, what you do with hay.

Milk you share, nothing can compare.
Drink, cook, bake, use it everywhere.

Chocolate Berry Cobbler

(What? You were expecting a beef recipe?)

Kids delight at the sound of "moo". Friendly, love to pet you too.
Calves at your side, gentle nature shows through.


So, Mrs. Cow, to you I vow,
appreciation, here and now.

BUT

While we're chatty, not to be catty.
Please? . . . less production of the patty. 

'Cause I want to visit you. But I'm sorry, no can do, 
in a minefield . . . dodging piles of poo.

Before you go, click on these links to more poetry by some of my friends: 

Dawn of Cognitive Script shares Udder Appreciation. 

Diane of On the Border shares Ode to the Purple.

Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Thanks, Cows.

Chocolate Berry Cobbler         
                                    ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

2 # strawberries, cleaned, dried, hulled, sliced

6 oz raspberries, cleaned and dried

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon 

15 oreos

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg 

1 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP orange juice

1 stick butter, melted 

OPT: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving

Directions:

*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 X 8 baking dish. Layer the bottom rack of your oven with tin foil as this may bubble over while baking.

*In a food processor, grind the oreos to crumbs.

*Mix together the strawberries, raspberries, brown sugar, cinnamon and 3/4 cup of the oreo crumbs. Spread into the prepared baking dish.

*Whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and remaining oreo crumbs. Mix in the egg, vanilla, orange juice and half of the melted butter.

*Dot the dough over the berries and pat down gently. Drizzle with the remaining melted butter.

*Bake in the center of the oven, above the rack with tin foil, for 35 to 40 minutes until top is browned and berries are bubbly.

*Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.