Barbara, Lois and Clay Chiles, South Texas, circa 1974.
I come from a family of hunters. My "Grandaddy Clay,"my grandmother, Barbara, my father, Bill, my brother, Brett...My grandparents moved down to South Texas for the oil boom in 1946, in the heart of oil, cattle and bird-hunting country. Close to the famous King Ranch, near the Mexican border. My dad, Bill, tells me that all of his birthday parties from the age of nine on were dove hunts! And my whole life, up to this point, I was totally anti-gun, and a huge animal lover, so I never understood the concept or philosophy of hunting.
My influences:
My family, even though I didn't know it until much later. My former love, a hunter and chef. A dear Houston friend, John Flournoy, who was responsible for my success with a rifle. Long-time friend, farmer and sustainability advocate, Stephanie Scherzer of Austin's Farmhouse Delivery. And Jesse Griffiths a hunter and chef, who influenced me in my knowledge of "slow food" before it was really a buzz-word. My dear friend, Miss Charlotte Wood, who was vegan for many years and who encouraged me to watch the film, "Meet your Meat." Incredibly painful, but incredibly helpful in understanding the real horrors of factory farming.
My father, Bill Chiles...I finally began to understand why he loved to ride around on those hunting trucks down in South Texas with the dogs and one's compadres, sometimes laughing and bantering, and sometime lost in your own thoughts watching that weird, sort of ugly brushy landscape passing you by, but seeing in its rough ugliness that it feels strangely beautiful and comforting. The adrenaline rush of the dogs flushing out the quail and of the potential danger of shooting so close to one another. Yes, we really could all end up doing What Dick Cheney Did.
My grandmother, Barbara, who is still a larger than life charismatic Texas woman, who always ventured out to do what the boys did, but still looked fabulous doing it, with her hair, makeup and nails done!
We Texas women, come from a heritage of strong, charismatic ladies like Barbara Jordan, Ann Richards, and Molly Ivins.
There was a Charlie's Angel... aka Miss Farrah Fawcett, whom my parents knew back in their college days at The University of Texas. The story goes that the guys used to hang outside her apartment complex ALL day long playing football, just to get 1 glimpse of her. She was legendary even before she WAS.
And the character, Sissy, in Urban Cowboy? We can't forget HER!
And there is my aunt, Lois Chiles, the actress and Bond Girl, who is a fierce and fiery Texas woman. She influenced me more in the metaphorical elements of a "Texas Huntress."
The Texas woman is a breed all her own.
***********
As I moved into the experience of literal hunting and forcing myself to "meet my meat," I realized that the metaphorical manifestations of hunting were just as significant to my identity.
Because I have always been a seeker, a connector of friends and a ringleader… I hunt out characters, stories, and adventures.
And inspiration. And beautiful food. And so many other things.
I love evoking the magic of a dinner party, which is a kind of performance, an experience that can never be recreated. A celebration of friends, great conversations, and appreciation for the sustenance we bring to the table.
If those of us at the dinner are killing the animals for that table, there arises a higher level of consideration for the experience. And gratitude.
This continually brings us to the disconnectedness with our past. Only about 60 years ago, before the advent of factory farming, most Americans had more connection to the foods they consumed. They raised and slaughtered animals on their own farms or they knew the farmers and butchers personally who sold them their meat. Many of us are now struggling with this disconnect. It really just depends on whom I'm talking to. If I'm talking to a food audience who's engaged in this discussion, by now, they likely find my thoughts here cliche'. Slow Food advocates like Alice Waters and Michael Pollan were starting these conversations, approximately 15 or 20 years ago?
If I'm talking to people who have not yet engaged in these discussions, they almost find what I'm saying to be the talk of an alien. Or some kind of "liberal hippie Socialist." ;) Ha!!
I actually eat much less meat now than I ever did. I don't need meat every day. And being an American, I have access to many other healthy food options. I am far from perfect in this realm, but I will say, that i have not eaten meat from a fast food chain in 4 years. If i buy it to cook, I buy ethically raised meats. If I eat out, i try to eat at a restaurant that only buys ethically raised meats and vegetables. What slips through the cracks for me is sandwiches, occasional pieces of pizza, other foods with bacon or other meats…This topic of accessible food continuously brings up the discussion of privilege. Having these options is mostly for those of us who have the time, knowledge and finances to make these choices. Fortunately, there are current food advocates who are trying to change this.
In "hunting out the characters, stories, adventures," I'm discovering guides, incredible chefs, and larger than life friends who want to experience killing an animal for food. Whether it's in a South Texas hunting lodge, in an old New England barn above a distillery, or the middle of the African Bush, the characters on these adventures are always colorful and captivating. Fierce sexy women, badass hunting experts, an occasional rock and roll star, artists, writers, cultural figures. Hell, perhaps Bill Clinton will want to come hunting with me. He's a friend of a friend here in Austin, so he does get down here from time to time.
And what a sell! "Hey Bill, I'll invite a harem of fierce, sexy Texas women, some fabulous chefs and Willie Nelson. Do you want to come hunting with us?" {Roy Spence, I am relying on you to make this happen!}
Exploring the history and culture of food and place, from the field to the table, I'm asking all of us to confront our meat. And my question for you is...
yousharknotpass
origamiaround
2087
kianamaiart
stormborns
areudirty