There are a few benefits to living in a tropical climate. They include, but are not limited to:
- Slip-and-Slide seasons extends most of the calendar year. Consult the perma-browned gauntlet of grass in my parents' back yard for reference. See also: pool floating.
- Salt-free highways and tire-free chains.
- Room in your coat closet for more useful items likebeach chairs and extra sunscreen.
- Your wardrobe can comprise two to three tank tops, successfully laundered, for months on end.
- Money well spent on cute sandals and pedicures.
- Figs. Giant, juicy, battle-the-bees for that hanging fruit, droopy on the branch, taste the warmth of summer in your mouth figs.
So the mom and I went fig-pickin' yesterday, since I'm visiting Louisiana at the moment. Look at her go, isn't she the cutest? And by "cute" I mean "relentless."
If I had to choose, I really would not elect to land in 102ยบ heat on a Wednesday afternoon, immediately melt, compose myself, and slink from the airplane to the terminal. I would not necessarily pick wet armpits over 'Sure' ones or a beading upper lip or a mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and mid-evening costume change just to stay dry. But at dawn, before the sun has begun its daily scorch, I will hop in the car with my mom, fight snakes and beetles and honeybees, and haul home a couple of baskets of fresh figs.
Do you like my shirt? It was my dad's. Approximately 30 years ago. It's held together by safety pins. Word to the wise: do NOT try to pick figs in short sleeves. I highly doubt Adam and Eve were slapping these leaves to their privates. Unless it was for their adhesive properties.
So take some home. Caramelize a few.
Then make your birthday cake out of it. Thanks to Miss Suzanne for hand modeling!
