Monday, May 3, 2010

Counting Time....



OK, so I'm feeling guilty about not "keeping up" with the blog. But, now that I'm on the other side of the bone marrow process, I've kind of started losing track of the time. My perception of time is not foreshortened, it is lengthened. Besides, recovery contains much less drama than the procedure itself did; which is good right?

And of course, (an anachronistic variation on the current saying): "there's a song for that"...
Judy Collins singing Who knows where the time goes?

Sandy Denny in a YouTube video/recording from the Fairport Covention back in "the day"


Easy Does It

An example of how my perception of time has changed: this morning, sisters, Julie and Carol - and I - sat around discussing how to plan and prepare the making of bread. Normally I am more of a "get to know your local Baker" than a "bake your own bread" kind of guy. That's why we have town centers, villages, cities in general right? Access to the tools and methods of fermentation and their results: Beer, wine and bread. That's why I live where I live. That's the foundation of civilization in general right?

Currently, in my recovery mode, I'm on a "low bacteria diet" - meaning I'm not to eat fresh fruits and vegetables (Ironic right? Isn't that what they tell you to eat to prevent Cancer?...). This diet includes a restriction on restaurant food and even bakery bread - because the loaves are not "factory sealed" in cellophane.

So. We are going to bake our own using the slow fermentation method popularized by the book: "my bread" by Jim Lahey. His thesis is that using less yeast, and more time, you yield a bread that is more subtle and satisfying - bringing out the flavor of the grain and building more complex structures and textures. But it takes a LOT of TIME. - like 18 24 hours in advance.

But sometimes, not counting the time too carefully, letting it wash away, results in the best outcomes...


4 comments:

  1. Making my own bread always reminds me of the importance of patience. A good lesson as one recovers from cancer treatment I think. Good bread, like anything in life, is worth the wait.

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  2. I admire your diligence. Yes, good bread is worth the wait, but I also agree with you: the reason God invented cities and supermarkets and bakeries is because other people can make tasty loaves as well. That said, if bakeries and supermarkets are on the "Don't Go There" list, then making bread is a must. I've tried a few times and the bread usually comes out with the general texture and consistency of croquet ball. So if you can make edible bread, my hats off to you. Enjoy "The Sisters"....sounds like the title of a Gothic novel or maybe the story of a nunnery.

    Hang in there,

    Fox

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  3. Hey there,

    Yumm, the bread looks great! So glad you are home and doing well. The ED visit sounded over the top, but normal for an ED. I sent you a card, but it came back...so I think I sent it to the wrong address.

    I will be in Portland for work this week. I am hoping to come by for a visit. I will check with Julie first. MA

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