One of the reasons that I do this blog--other than poking fun at Captain--is to inform the general public about the ins and outs and ups and downs of farming. Believe me, we will use any opportunity as a teachable moment in order to raise public awareness about agriculture.
Even better is when that education can be done in person. Such as the other night when my good friend, James, and his husband, Herman, came to visit.
James was the first physician I worked for when I started at Mayo Clinic. He was in his residency then and we sort of learned the Mayo way together. We've stayed close over the years even though visits have been rare but precious.
Usually when James is in town, I meet him for lunch, and we catch up which is what we did several months ago. At that time, I told him the next time he was in Rochester, he and Herman should come out for supper because then Herman and Captain could get in on the fun, too.
That day rolled around on Wednesday. They got here early enough that we took a leisurely tour around the Brogan Ranch to peruse Calf Country, the flower beds, and the vegetable garden. Bonus round in the vegetable garden was identifying all the weeds that they don't have in Phoenix: quack grass, lamb's quarters, and water hemp.
After that we expanded our tour, and Captain drove us around some of the back roads so James and Herman could see soybean fields, corn fields (which all look like crap right now), and hay fields. We rounded out the tour at a neighbor's dairy farm where Captain helps out several days a week.
They got to see a different Calf Country, some chickens, Hamilton the 500-pound pet pig, a free stall barn, and a milking parlor. Herman even got to strip out a quarter on one of the cows!
You know how sometimes when you are introducing someone to something that is well outside their wheelhouse, and they ask questions but you can tell it is just for form's sake? Not so this time at all. They asked intelligent and thought-provoking questions and were genuinely interested in the answers and learning more about where food comes from and what it takes to get it from farm to table. I love when that happens!
By the end of the tour, we were all hungry so we headed back to our house. I went in to finish getting supper ready while Captain gave a Farm Machinery introduction class outside. James and Herman now know everything about corn planters and AgCo Allis tractors!
We had hoped to be able to enjoy the evening on the deck but rain showers changed those plans so we simply visited around the table. Herman had hit up the farmer's market in Rochester and put together a wonderful salad that was A-MAZE-ING! Captain even had seconds of that for two reasons: (1) he really likes salad and (b) he really doesn't like meatballs. We all pretty much gorged ourselves over much laughter and good conversation.
The meal was rounded out with some of what I told them was half-assed mousse (not moose, eeeuuuwww). It was a recipe I had tested for Cook's Country, and I had biffed it up a bit by folding the chocolate into the eggs instead of folding the eggs into the chocolate. Didn't matter; it still tasted okay. Looked a little funny, but tasted just fine!
After we waved them good bye at almost 10:30, Captain said to me, "I hope they enjoyed hearing and seeing all the farm stuff." Sharing our knowledge with others is always a positive thing, but when we can share it with good friends, it's even better!
