Speaking of food, we sat out back last night and shelled the precious black-eyed peas. As I type these words, the little gems are galloping around in the boiling broth on the stove. I'm still flummoxed at the absence of these (and purple-hull peas) Southern staples in this geographical area. MeeMaw reports that two of the older gents at the Farmer's Market were speculating about the soil not being hospitable to these two particular legumes. I don't know. What I do know is that come spring, Lord willing and I get my raised beds built, I'm going to plant some (we already bought heirloom seeds from a Christian family who sells them). Maybe someday, there will be a conversation in this area between an old man and his grandson:
"Grandpa, how come there are so many black-eyed pea plants around here?"
"Well, Timmy, a bellicose old cob named Orr brought 'em here back in ought eight, and they just sort of took over. We think of 'em as the kudzu of the food world."
"They do taste good, though, Grandpa."
"They sure do, Timmy. They sure do."
We're having a 100% vegetable supper (or "pulse," as the old King Jimmy renders it), including fried okra. I got a good window shot of MeeMaw doing the prep work.
We took a nice long nap this afternoon, and just before I awoke, I was dreaming of kendo. I can't really remember anything about the dream except that I was getting some good hits on my opponent. There are some pretty good videos floating around out there, including this one of a shiai (match) with some great slo-mo footage. It's also nifty to see someone using the ni-to-ryu (two-sword school) in a match. I've only seen a couple of kendoka pull this off, and they were both well advanced in years. It's not something one can just decide to do; it's very rigorous and risky. But if done right, it's gorgeous to watch. The famous samurai Miyamoto Mushashi, who wrote Go Rin No Sho (Book of Five Rings) was the first proponent of ni-to-ryu. He developed it after seeing a French fencer use a sabre and a rapier simultaneously.
I also found a good video of a keiko (formal practice session) between some senior black belts and a 9th degree black belt (he's the elderly gent in the white keikogi). His subtlety and economy of movement are very pleasant to watch.
And finally, here's a video of some kendo kata (forms). Even though the art itself is archaic and impractical (at least until we begin wearing swords in public again), kendo is one of the most valuable martial arts I ever studied, because it teaches the absolutely crucial concept of maai (pronounced muh-EYE), or distance. When one can learn to properly judge the distance between himself and his opponent, especially at high speeds, one has a considerable advantage.
While MeeMaw was completing supper preparations, I went for a walk up in the woodlot. Here I am, banging and crashing along, because it's daylight and I don't even think about things like deer. At least not until I strolled around the big rock pile (you remember, Josh..the one where the injuns buried Daniel Boone's son?) and this gargantuan four-point buck jumped up from his resting place in the grass and glared at me. My lungs regained their primary function, my heart started beating again, I fumbled for the camera in my pocket, the buck snorted, and I heard crashing off to the north (in the area of Five Pines, I believe). It was clear that he was warning his doe(s) of the bearded intruder. Then he turned and cleared the fence in one fluid and arrogant bound. He disappeared into the corn 200 yard away within about two seconds. I stood, camera at the ready, for a long time, watching the corn to see if old Buck might peek out at me. Never happened.
I did find a newly-dug double den up near the high eastern property corner (near where I plan to install our bee hive next spring, d.v.). The discarded earth was very fresh. It's officially a DDUO: Double Den of Unknown Occupancy.
I also noted that Mr. D put up a new corner brace assembly on the fenceline where the bull had broken it down last month (and all the cows decided to take a two-day tour of Possum Cough). Lots of deer sign up there, too. MeeMaw and I have to get up by 0530 tomorrow, so we'll probably take a quick walk up by the south pasture to see if we can see any deer among the apple trees. The moon will be high and half-full, so we'll have to step lightly.
Today's Sunday School class was one of the best ever. There are at least three of us in the class who are dealing with very difficult eldercare issues right now, and the class members have become very close-knit and transparent to one another. I would venture to say that our little group (nine of us) is one of the most intimate groups in the congregation. We have one more Sunday together, and then I start teaching the new series the first Sunday in September. This Friday, we've been invited to a supper of appreciation for the SS teachers and their spouses.
Rest well, loved ones. MeeMaw and PeePaw love y'all.
