PRESSING SORGHUM AT RANDALL’S HOME
Today I went with Todd and Susie to Randall’s house at the edge of the Pisgah National Forest for the yearly family celebration of the cutting of the sorghum crop which is then run through a press turned in the old days by horses pulling a long pole in a circle, to squeeze out the sugary syrup which is then boiled in a large pot, traditionally over a wood fire until it becomes a thick syrup and is then divided amoung the family members and friends who have mostly been eating and drinking and having a great time together during this process. The syrup is highly valued, more for its sentimental value than for its slightly oversweet taste. It isn’t syrup that matters so much as the way it brings a family together, which is good, because for some reason, whether it was the wrong seed or planting at the wrong time or too much or not enough rain, this year’s crop of sorghum was spindly and much shorter than usual providing very little sorghum to be crushed and hardly any syrup. We got to the party when it was almost over but enjoyed talking to people and eating the food that people had brought.
BILLYBABA’S WANDERING 