Into The Wild

How do you get a sleepyhead out of bed? Entice him with bacon!  


My Beloved had had a long, emotional day saying a final farewell to his first wife, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer a couple of weeks ago. There was a full day of services, first spreading her ashes on Ring Mountain in the morning, then a church service in the afternoon, followed by a dinner at her house with all the family and several close friends. When we fell into bed that evening, I knew he'd be out for the count.


We were lucky. So often in cases of divorce, there is bitterness between the former partners, and even the kids get dragged into the emotional quagmire. Somehow, we all found not only peace within ourselves but we even forged a cordial friendship in which we were all able to share in the family fun. I guess I'd have to admit the road to our friendship wasn't without its bumps and potholes, but we all were determined to make a go of it, and we did. We shared adorable grandchildren pictures, laughed over family stories together, and generally got on with our lives.


So, when we lost her, it was a blow to My Beloved, who had shared 25 years and two children with her, and to me, who had shared graduations, Christmases and weddings with her over the past 15 years. 


The next morning after her memorials, I awoke earlier than My Beloved and left him still snuggled down in the covers with only his head showing. I read my email, checked my blogs, and looked at Facebook, and he was still asleep. I had purchased some wild boar bacon on a whim last time we went to Baron's, and decided to cook it as a treat for him. He came out of the bedroom just a few minutes later, saying that the scent of frying bacon had tickled him awake, even with the bedroom door closed.


This bacon was leaner than most, leaving just a thin film of grease in the bottom of the pan. It was quite salty, not very smoky, not at all sweet, and very meaty. Because it was hand sliced, the pieces varied in thickness, but none of it got crisp.  Lucky thing, as My Beloved likes his bacon soft. 


I can't say there was any particular wildness to the taste, it was more of a textural difference, similar to the difference between pastured chicken and chickens raised in coops. It was chewier and a little tougher, more of a mouthful, and utterly delicious. Well, duh... it's bacon, and bacon is always delicious.


Hunt some up.