‘I wrote this book because . . .’ I say as I walk Puffin through the woods.
‘Ultimately, it’s about . . .’ I say as I’m watering the peppers in the greenhouse.
‘The idea for it came from . . .’ I repeat as I’m peeling onions.
The book is out in just over a week. I have readings, interviews and events lined up but I’m struggling with the simple questions. I was going to come in and write down the little I had so far but on my way back to the house a little shock of colour grabbed my attention.
The Cayennetta! The first four pods had ripened. I immediately picked and ate one. It tasted green, a little bitter, with a nice prickle of heat. They’re going to be great in my pickled onions. I kept talking to myself as I pawed my way through the pepper jungle looking for ripening pods on the other plants.
‘It’s about animals . . . language . . . relationships . . .’
‘It’s about conversing with other species.’
‘I was basically raised by squirrels.’
Aha! More peppers are ripening on some of the plants in the ground too. Quite a few - all of them Cayennetta. But it’s exciting - all of the plants are covered with peppers. The Zebrange have these ridiculously shaped fruits and one of those Sugar Rush Peach Stripey peppers is covered in fruit. Actually… yes, one of these is turning orange. So they’re ripening too. I can’t wait to taste them. I had another of the Aji Cristal this morning - it’s got such a great flavour and is another Baccatum variety - and I hear these Sugar Rush might be even tastier.
‘. . . and the dragon just exploded . . .’
It’s only the Rocoto that has nothing. Lots of flowers - beautiful purple flowers - but no peppers. And they’ve grown a lot. The one planted in the ground is almost five feet tall, overtaking the tallest of the Ring of Fire plants, which was king of the greenhouse until recently at over four feet.
‘. . . if you place fern seed in your boots at Midsummer . . .’
The neighbours pass and they must think I’m talking to the peppers. I wonder what they think I’m saying to the peppers. I don’t expect they’d guess that I’m talking to the plants about talking to animals? Hopefully next time I’ll have enough peppers to start playing in the kitchen and comparing the flavours.
‘. . . and yes, basically I was conversing with a toad . . .’
Comments