How we do beans

one - plant
and pray for rain
and rejoice over rain
and rejoice over new life


two - pick
make sure they are thick enough
and long enough
and not already hollow


three - break
ends go in one bin
along with bad spots
the rest go in another bin
and should be similar lengths


four - wash
in three sinkfuls of water
swishing and swirling each time
keeping in mind that
if your little helper insists
on washing and placing the beans
into the strainer one at a time
step four may take two hours
yes, it did




five - cook
in a pressure cooker
seasoned with salt and brown sugar
because there is really
no other way

six - serve
alongside more garden goodies
and some homemade flakiness
for a classic summertime
country dinner