Severin Rosen, Still Life with Strawberries, (c. 1848-1870)

Summer Cold Strawberry Soup

1 1/2 c. water

3/4 c. red wine

1/2 c. sugar

2 T. fresh lemon juice

1 cinnamon stick

2 qt. strawberries, hulled and pureed, reserve a few for garnish

1 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. sour cream

Combine water, wine, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon stick in a 5-quart saucepan.  Boil, uncovered, about 17 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add strawberry puree and continue boiling, stirring frequently.  Discard cinnamon stick and cool cooked mixture.  Whip cream and stir in sour cream.  Fold into strawberry mixture.  Refrigerate several hours.  When ready to serve, garnish with reserved whole strawberries.  This recipe makes about 8 cups.

Beach Sand

by Raymond A. Foss

Maybe it is the memories

the change of pace that brings us there

the sense of vacation

maybe the smell of the place

the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses

but oh it is the feel of it, 

the crunch and slide of it

the feeling of beach sand

so different from dirt, soil, loam

no, not earthy, moist, rich, 

but oh so granular and gritty

even when wet,

moveable paper spreading under toes

sliding beneath the soles

smoothing my skin

clearing my mind

unburdening me of the rest

drawing me to the tactile, the feel

of beach sand.