While I canned pears on Sunday, Larry had another project: picking black walnut meats from the shells.
He used a hammer and a piece of steel to crack the nuts outside to keep down the mess, then brought them into the log room for the real work. 
Picking nutmeats is tedious, there's no other word for it. But he had National Public Radio to listen to, so from Thistle and Shamrock through Prairie Home Companion and most of Mountain Stage, he picked walnuts and enjoyed the best of entertainment.
The reward--almost 2 pounds of black walnuts, shelled and ready for holiday baking. At today's prices, this is about $32.00 worth of nuts. Considering that it was a blustery cold, snowy day, this was a worthwhile way to spend time.
When he was finished, he came in the kitchen and helped me finish canning the pears. Now that's a good man.
Next, hickory nuts. I've got to try that cake recipe Matthew sent me.
