I was looking through some old photos and found this jewel. You see before you a hog weighing over 1200 lbs. The picture really does not do her fat rolls justice. I would not want to be one of her piglets trying to get a warm drop of milk only to be smothered by one of her 6 thighs!
This was part of our "research" for PRAIRIE: meeting real farmers, seeing real livestock, and experience real food that they somehow fried and shoved on a stick. Many states in America have a State Fair once a year to celebrate and cultivate farmers. I will not forget our visit to Minnesota's State Fair last year during our 1st run of PRAIRIE. Every year they have a new food specialty. This past year was chocolate covered bacon. I think I managed to get one piece down. For a fuller description of the State Fair phenomenon, click THIS LINK to read Garrison Keillor's article in National Geographic. He captures the essence of the heartland and Minnesota in particular better than any other writer I know.
As with Laura Ingalls Wilder's books about living on the prairie, the state fair was a showcase for WORK and FOOD. Her books seem to spend most of their time talking about the endless supply of work and the particulars of making and enjoying each meal. It is amazing that she found any time to play as a young girl! It certainly puts things in perspective regarding my own workload. I have NOTHING to complain about. And if I do, shove some chocolate covered bacon in my face and remind me I've got it good!
HAHA, chocolate covered bacon....mmmmh yummy! ;-)
ReplyDeleteNext time I use my chocolate fountain, I´ll try some bacon beside the fruits.........
I clicked on the link and saw the pictures of the state fair, it seems to me everything in Amerika is bigger, higher, faster and crazier than in Germany! ;)
Like the little pig on the photo. It´s impressive!
I also like the ears you and the gals are wearing. hihi.....suits you fine!
Your explanations about Laura Ingalls Wilders books, made me spend an hour at amazon.de and thinking about buying the books. Actually, I´m not sure wether to buy them in english or in german, if I´d buy them in german my boys could also read them......
I love the Tv series, when I was younger, my mom and me watched it a lot togehter, it was fun.
On amazon was the first time a saw a picture of the "real" Laura, because of the Tv Series I have always a picture of Melissa Gilbert in mind. ;-) Isn´t it odd that she is playing Ma? And by the way, wasn´t Manly redhaired in the series? :)
Hope we will get more informations, in due time, about the musical, Laura and you!
Have a nice day,
Kirsten*
Exactly such a preparation for the musical is surely right. You receive an insight into the wonderful one but also very hard lives of a farmer.
ReplyDeleteI think you can only on this way put yourself in the position of this role, understand it and credibly represent.
I feel sorry for the pig - really!!! It is so fatly that it can be really no longer beautiful for the animal. It was surely a farm which was specialized in stockbreeding, or am I mistaken? I am personally absolutely not a fan of farmers, who produce food with animal origin. I prefer farms, which concentrate on the vegetable food and the agriculture.
I think, that a lovely get-together with animals is more enriching and fulfilling for yourself! But this is a different topic!! ;)
I must confess that I have never looked "Unsere kleine Farm".
Disgrace over my head! ;P
I only know the title song and the story in the rough course. Not anymore! But all this here wakes the interest in it in me. It seems that I have a high backlog.
First of all I must study the film before I can join in this conversation and can say something to the contents of the story. ;)
Thanks for the picture and your words!
I wish you all a good start in the new week!
I just remember I had one of the books of Prairie when I was a child and I really loved it. I think it was one of the first stories, because Laura was still a child. I really was touched by the peaceful and familiar atmosphere of this book. Do you have childs in the cast of prairie, by the way? I can imagine this would be very hard if you go on tour...
ReplyDeleteThe films I have never seen, either :( and I really would love to come to USA to see this musical, but of course, thats not possible.
I really must say (one more time) I like your blog so much Kevin, it's really very interesting for us!
Kind regards,
Marietta
Okay, this is going to be "Special Food" blog of all times xD.. FUNNY!
ReplyDeleteSo, this pig really really....really looks "a bit" sad ;) This can make you grow goosebumps and decide to get a vegan!!! Please, never watch how the poor cows get "ended" in a mass production hall...=( But lets drop that topic!
It's the best way to prepare (for any experience, esp for acting) to get it experienced all by ur own... in live motion; all these impressions: the look, the way of talking, of moving, of SMELLING xD Me, I actually live in a very small village with much much agricultural tradition based folks ^^ It's always fun to see them speak with each other: Nice people!
Really would like to see the piece! Maybe but maybe, never say no! ;)
Looking forward to ur next blogging and commenting session .. we be prepared for EVERYTHING now :P
So, how far is pre-preducing? Or do U already have some kind of staging (an idea of what staging will be like at least?) This all reminds me a bit of "The Glass Menagerie" by Tenessee Williams! We read it in english class and I was so impressed by how Williams transmitts the exploration of the new age (between WW I and WW II)...But I guess right now that the play should be dated a lil bit earlier, am I right^^ Okay, could re-read in ur older posts..haha! xD
Kind and "warm" (I refer to local temperature...it's kinda HUMID in time -.-) greets to the US !
Chris (ur personal "muse" at finding damn good titles for ur posts :P )
Oh my...
ReplyDeleteanother blog about food... *g*
However, research is the most interesting part of a project.
I guess at the end we will be experts in American Farming and the early days. ;)
Thank you!
I stay tuned for the next blog.
Franka
Brrrrr.chocolate covered bacon....NEVER EVER I could eat this.....And I LOVE Chocolate...
ReplyDeleteLast time while reading your blog I was sooooo hungry for a Nutella whitebread...and after I had 3 of them my stomach was aching the whole night, because it was late in the evening here...tststs...no good!
But I always enjoy reading your posts, I enjoy them even if I don´t write a comment every day...you know what I mean...?? It´s too late to think in english for me today!
So have a great day Mr. Sassy Massey and talk soon! Greets Sonja
I know what you mean, Sonjya ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll try not to steer the blog toward food too often!
sass