On this gloomy-looking day, perhaps I’ll pay homage to honey and tug at your heartstrings as well.

Earlier this week I received a care package from Carol, my high school chum, who now lives in New York. Carol knows I swore off sweets several years ago, but sent along some of “nature’s sweets” – some pure peach preserves and some organic honey to slather on my toast. Carol also skimmed off a sample of her friend Betty Jean’s recent batch of honey. I tucked the first two jars away for the holidays but decided it was time for a little self-indulgence. Yesterday I picked up some cornbread at Meijer to enjoy with Betty Jean’s honey. This was an eight-inch square of cornbread which the nutritional information defines as nine servings. Hmmmmmmmm, not in my opinion. Suffice it to say that the cornbread will not go stale nor will it be consumed over nine separate eating sessions. (Smile.) I am smacking my lips in anticipation of the cornbread, some which will accompany a plate of beans and slaw and the other which I will be liberally drizzling with Master Gardener and Beekeeper Betty Jean’s dark, sweet honey. I walked 4 ½ miles today and if the long walk doesn’t cause me to nod off way too early, the carb overload surely will.

If only honey could sweeten the woes of the world it would be a blessing. Over the past few days I heard the poignant tale of Patty, the poor little dog who was skinned alive (http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/reward-offered-to-find-whoever-skinned-dog-alive-in-detroit/-/1719418/21925446/-/dcsjbd/-/index.html and today WWJ relayed the horrific story of “Hope”, a cat who was set on fire and left for dead. Hope’s plight and a plea for donations may be found here: http://tailwaggers1990.org/.

If I was a bleeding heart a few weeks ago when I saw the falcon take out the smaller bird in mid-air, just imagine my horror over the cruelty of these two domestic animals. Why? It is not only animals of course; we humans are not exempt from cruelty from our fellow man either. I just shake my head and wonder about the state of the world anymore. Sadly, there is not a large enough jar of honey at the ready to provide the balm we so sorely need these days.