Walking with the Ones You Love

My first walks were in the foothills of the Appalachians.   Strangely enough, these early walks were for the purpose of foraging.   It's not near as primitive as it sounds.   These walks always followed a similar framework.   The only difference was the availability of the fruit or vegetable.

In the Spring, when new tender plants were beginning to sprout, Whistle Lew would grab a bucket, a bag, a couple of old knives and his oldest son.   The two would walk through local cow pastures looking for just the right dandelion plants.   A few hours later, when dressed with wine vinegar and olive oil, these young plants made a great salad for a family of eight.   Usually we had a bonus.   Whistle Lew knew just the right mushrooms to pluck and bring home.   Mum would dress some sort of meat with fried mushrooms.   When served with a dandelion salad it was fine dining.

I never cared much about any of that.   My first thoughts would always be, "Where in the hell are those cows?"   I was afraid of cows.   With the milk cows in their proper place, I could proudly take on the awesome responsibility of making sure all of the dandelions and mushrooms made it from the pasture to the kitchen counter.   I wanted to make daddy proud.

Every now and again, walk with someone you love.