The produce drawer was full of old berries: withered, spotty and moldy in their plastic clam shells. Too many days gone. Past their appeal. Dying beauties. Another sacrifice to my work, busyness and distraction. Another item untended. Money wasted. Labor for naught. Summer waning.

The rescue effort was swift; Washed, sorted, sliced, into a pot. Pour water. Sprinkle sugar. Dash of cornstarch. Heat on, boil boil. Forget. Dishes, radio, snacks, texting. Thickened to pink glop with scalded sides. White clumps of starch suspended. Fail.

Another rescue with a handheld blender. Clumps dispersed, berries smoothed, pink deepened. Seeet Smooth steaming glop on my spoon. Balance restored