Letters From Josh
10/10/22 Vol. 103
(A weekly update from Josh Urban’s adventures on the farm and in the city.)
Howdy, folks! The Sourwood leaves have turned a brilliant crimson up on the side of Long Mountain, joining the blueberry shrubs and maples in a festive display. Chestnut Oaks are dropping a bounty of fat acorns, and the deer stop their buffet, snorting indignantly at the interruption when I wander by. The bees are preparing for the cold, and the butterflies have moved on, leaving the zinnias empty as a few flowers greet the sky with a subdued last hurrah. The haze of summer evenings has cleared. The mountains to the west stand out sharply against a clear sky, shades of blue and purple as darkness gathers. We haven’t had a frost yet, but the land is getting ready.
The Hunter’s Moon had been calling. Slipping on a jacket, I answered, wandering among the patches of moonlight and dim shade cast by the slumbering oaks. More deer snorted at my trespassing. “Hey Buck, who IS this weirdo?” Lyrics, poems, and sentimental memories spring up nearly every time I walk in the silvery beams. They would crumble, swept away by the roll of reasonable eyes in the daylight. The Sun acts a heckling sibling and a smug editor. “You thought what?” Fortunately, the cynicism of the day keeps a sensible schedule, and sleeps a solid eight hours a night, leaving a little room for fancy. I relish those moments when I can wander in the moonlight, along with a gaggle of the Wistful, Mysterious, and of course, my pale shadow. Don’t forget the intangible and impractical, my friends. They balance the heavy load of the Sensible.
But before we float away on moonbeams and abstract advice, I do need some down-to-earth wisdom. What do you do with fresh pecans?! No, it’s not a set-up for a joke. I’m serious! The hurricane knocked a bunch from the trees in the yard, and the pie is delectable. There are a few steps in the middle, and I’m at a loss. Any tips on pecan processing? (The address: P.O. Box 783, Rustburg, VA 24588, or JoshUrban@Protonmail.com.)
Speaking of tasty things and correspondence, an idea just popped into my head: What about a recipe exchange/feature? If you’ve got a recipe to share with the world, send it along, and I’ll reprint it here! More people are reading this every day - let’s share your family wisdom with everyone! Send it via post or email. This will be a fun project, and tis the season for cooking! As the little sign said in the gift shop the other day: My Blood Type is Pumpkin Spice.
Keep an eye on that waning Hunter’s Moon this week, send me a recipe, and enjoy the season!
- Josh
The Hunter’s Moon, photographed with my cell phone at the eyepiece of a 12.5” reflecting telescope.