Alter Mann-Fluß
What in the world is Lexus.MSN? It sounds like a Frankenstein manifestation of The Patriot Act, a brave new search engine begat from a menage a trois mingling of the world's most thorough search engine and the news corporation formed by bonding a world-encompassing software corporation and a struggling TV network. Sounds like big dot brother, able to find everything out about you and then broadcast it to the whole world.
But when they speak of Kutztown, PA, they seem to be more of a gentle giant. Kutztown, home of sweet fermented Lebanon bologna and other Pennsylvania Dutch treats - like those heirloom tomatoes pictured here. Tomatoes whose genetic makeup has been preserved, not modified by recombinant DNA. Odd looking little love apples, guaranteed to reward you with a burst of flavor instead of perfect symmetry and pest resistance. Tomatoes with names like German Queen, Earle of Edgecombe, and Paul Robeson.
Speaking of Paul Robeson, old man river is a risin' here in North Carolina. Last year at this time we were in an official drought with a rain deficit of 17 inches. It was a bad year for crops, even garden crops. This year, we're already 14 inches above our average annual rainfall and the drought is over. The ground is saturated. It's bad for crops too. Seeds are drowning; roots are rotting. Farmers seeds have washed away, seeds that cost $400 an acre to plant.
When I went to the Carrboro Farmers' Market last week, there wasn't much to buy. This is generally the heart of the growing season but only about a third of the vendor spaces were occupied. Vegetables that have survived are waterlogged and flavorless. It's slim pickin's all around except for one notable survivor - peaches. South Carolina and Georgia peaches are abundant and sweet. When life gives you peaches, make Kullerpfirsich.
3:39:19 AM 
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