March 2009

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This Little Pig went nowhere

This bizarre little boar stands guard in my front yard. His cagey nose is wrinkled, his wary ears are perked and his defiant eyes squint into an unmoving stare. The stocky, molded cast-iron porker, complete with vent and toting handle on its fat side, is actually a working grill, which has seared numerous steaks and barbequed many chops.

I didn’t purchase my tubby yard adornment. Instead, it’s a gift (a cast off?) from my son-in-law, who actually likes me. He, in fact, cooked with the unusual utensil and liked it too well to release it into uncaring hands (re: the dumpster).

I didn’t place the hefty hog on my moss-carpeted lawn. It was simply too heavy to transport further when I lifted it from the tailgate of my Subaru. The black brute sits with artificial patience, waiting for more proper placement. But I have grown used to being greeted by the grumpy swine when I pull into my drive. He serves as grill, ornament and landmark as well. I direct my visitors to turn left at “this little pig.”

Linda Edwards, Morganton, Rutherford EMC