|
September 18, 2009
This morning I saw Carolina Gold harvested, the dew still on the ground. Some people want gold metal, I wanted to see the Gold of novels and books, the heart of the culture of the state of South Carolina for centuries. One look at the field of rice makes clear the reason for [...]
August 20,2009
Still thinking about my wonderful weekend last weekend – which flew by all too quickly. The highlight was going to the crab-cracking for Matt and Ted Lee’s new book, to be out in November. It was held at Josephine and Tom Humphrey’s farm, which used to belong to her dad. He’s 95 and spry [...]
Monday, November 10, 2008
Eggs poached in truffle oil – arestaurant that doesn’t know its limits
I really don’t want to grumble. I like being positive. However, spending good money for fancy food that misses its mark is irritating. This weekend we attended a symposium for Neiman Fellows at Harvard, of which my husband is one. After [...]
Saturday, July 28, 2007
presidential wives
This past Monday Charleston hosted the Democratic Presidential candidates in a debate. Debate is rather a loose word for what transpired — it was unique in questions being asked by “new media” submissions to CNN that were aired on a screen for the candidates to answer.
Earlier that day, there was a [...]
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A Brooklyn Wedding
July 1, 2007
Just back from New York, where my husband and I attended a Lubavitcher (I think I spelled it right, but don’t hesitate to tell me if it is wrong!) wedding. The wedding itself was great fun — it was in Crown Heights, and absolutely fascinating to me, this [...]
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Spoleto is in Charleston, and it is a jam-packed town. I’ve been to two operas, one symphony, one play and one ballet in 10 days. Plus I went to Virginia for my class reunion. It is amazing how people change — and stay the same — over 50 years. Only, perhaps, more [...]
September 18, 2009
This morning I saw Carolina Gold harvested, the dew still on the ground. Some people want gold metal, I wanted to see the Gold of novels and books, the heart of the culture of the state of South Carolina for centuries. One look at the field of rice makes clear the reason for the name,Carolina Gold. The most coveted and sought after rice of those centuries is golden, riding on a sea of tall green stalks. The rice’s gold signifies it is the right time to start to dry the rice. The stalks are removed with a hook (a scythe) leaving a foot or so of stubble that will be turned back into the ground later. The sheaths of rice are then spread on top of the stubble to dry before being collected. At one time it would have been harvested starting at four in the morning, to beat the heat of the day, after a cold breakfast. 
August was the usual time in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, according to the meticulous records the planters kept – detailing dialing weather and rainfall, among other things. Thomas Jefferson loved this rice, his favorite among 98 varieties he collected. (Stories abound about people coming up to him and slipping rice into his pockets. Finally the planters had to tell him to stop sending new varieties – they liked what they had.) The fields have been flooded with fresh water and drained three times. Now it is up to the sun. At Middleton, historically dressed workers scythe the tall grasses that were formerly worked by slaves. 
Charleston, once the richest city in America, had a population that was more slaves than whites. When South Carolina was at its richest, the rice most plentiful, the economy collapsed with the aftermath of the civil war. Makes me think about the adage about riding high before a fall. Feels similar to the economy’s collapse last year.
Demonstrations will be held the next two Saturdays at Middleton. Contact them for more information.
