Faith, Folklore, and Friends

In the South, we love our okra. Most vegetable gardens have a row or two of okra. If they don't, it is probably because of space and sun restrictions, not because the gardeners didn't want it. Okra is related to cotton (compare their blossoms) and hibiscus. Because it is fibrous, the best okra pods are those that are very immature, not over a few days old. We seemingly have to wait for it forever. It is a heat loving plant, and won't grow as long as the soil is the least bit cool. But when it starts producing, it is hard to keep up with. It needs to be picked everyday during optimal growing conditions. We eat it everyday with enough left over for freezing and canning. I have made ten pints of pickled okra so far, but most of my family prefers it fried. Here's how I prepared some for the freezer today. Wash the okra and let it dry on a towel. Cut into thin rounds; no more than 1/4 inch. Today I have a little less th...

Talking about cold! Right now its 16 degrees outside, feels like 4. I tried to let the dog out, and he looked at me with "I don't think so!" written all over his face. Perhaps my blood has been thinned by 100 degree days with 100% humidity. Maybe I was born this way. Whatever it is, I DO NOT function well if the temperature hovers around or drops below sixty. Hello, Weather Systems! Listen up, Arctic Cold Front. This is ALABAMA, the Heart of Dixie, and it is not supposed to be this cold here. Probably, those of you above 35 degrees North latitude think we're spoiled, pampered, intolerant of chill. Right on every count, thank you very much. It may be a weakness, but that's just the way we are, and we love it. I'm trying to travel to August in my mind, where stepping out on the deck is akin to being in a sauna with a wet, wool coat on. Where the birds have to fly in shade, and anything left in the car melts. Yeah. Sounds good. The men were am...