fer-men-ta-tion

Just because one small jar of salsa exploded three years ago during one of my food experiments, James has declared himself anti-fermentation. Personally, I find great joy in fermenting foods and have returned to my explorations since moving back to Florida. While living on the Apple Farm in 2006, I discovered a number of food books - Wild Fermentation was one of my favorites. Prior to that, I had not considered the health benefits and the flavor enhancing possibilities available in properly aged foods. Since that time, I've made a variety of concoctions - some that are more easily accepted like sauerkraut and sourdough starters for breads, and some that we in the US would not necessarily expect to ferment - like salsas, chutneys, kvass, and other health tonics.

James will sometimes try my fermentations, but mostly, he leaves them for me to eat. Last night, I served a peach chutney as an accompaniment to the pork, green beans, and sweet potatoes that he created. He was supportive yet not enthusiastic. He put a little chutney on his fork, asking repeatedly what was in it and how long it had fermented. Finally, after it passed the smell test,he ate a little with the pork. Victory came when he chose to chew it up and swallow it without spitting it out. He didn't ask for more and acted a bit tortured throughout, but he did, in fact, eat all five pieces of peach and raisins I put on his plate. Progress!

glass lizard in the grass

You might imagine my surprise upon seeing our old friend the glass lizard today. I was sitting on the front porch drinking coffee and talking with James when I saw a movement across the sidewalk. This little snake-ish lizard or its twin sister or relative has lived in the yard for much longer than I've been in Florida. A few times a year, mostly in the summer months, I'll see a shimmer in the mondo grasses by the mailbox and I'll know that the lizard is still about.

Because it looks like a snake, I always imagine how my mom or grandma Mattingly would react to seeing it - much vocalization and swatting would ensue. If a hoe were present, the lizard would most likely meet its end.

Because of knowing James and spending time outside looking at snakes and other creatures in nature, I find that I've been able to turn my fear of slithering things into respectful curiosity. I'm not saying I want to pick them up and cuddle, but I enjoy looking at them and knowing that they do nice things for the world,like keeping the rodent population down.

Though they look like snakes, they are actually legless lizards . They have little earholes on the outside and, crazily enough,eyelids. They also amble more and slither less. James and I love having them in the yard and look forward to seeing them.

So, we followed this one around the yard, James with his camera, and I with my coffee cup - noticing its various colors and little knicks on its body, possibly from a larger something trying to eat it. The lizard didn't seem bothered by us and was in no hurry to get anywhere. Neither were we. And a pleasant time was had by all.

What's next?

Over the past couple of months, I've been asked with great regularity, "What's next for you two?" Though I should have a pat answer, the question always takes me by surprise. What is next? I wonder. The question makes me feel as if I should know, and truthfully, I don't.

What I am confident of, is that with each move and with each return to Gainesville, we progress. We see a world that is bigger and with more possibilities. We are educated about the people and places of our country and the countries of others. We fill our minds with new information both pleasant and painful; listening to the sounds, smelling the fragrances, tasting the cuisine, breathing the air - all the while creating memories, ties and friendships.

Most likely, what is next will be more of the same. A life adventure that takes form in an unfamiliar place for the purpose of learning, growing and sharing.

"What is now?" is the more relevant question. This one I can answer. Now is time at home with friends and family. Time to enjoy all of the things we love about Florida. Time to take care of things that need taking care of. Time to rest. Time to regroup. Time to plan. Time to cook in our own kitchen and grow our own garden. Time to help. Time to watch movies and to read. Time to take little trips. Time to work, though not too hard. Time to take in all that we have experienced. Time to appreciate each other and those we love and miss while away. Time to sit quietly on the front porch. And, as always, time to tell stories.