This is a cake I have made twice; once for my niece's birthday in February, and it was so popular that her friend's mom wanted it for her birthday. However, since I won't be here then I made it for her for mother's day. I have been baking more - making bread which I was scared to do before. Making bread has a 'mythic' quality to it and many people are terrified of trying it - including me! - and I love cooking and do jams regularly. Anyway - I was sooo bored and under-utilized that I jumped in and made bread and have extended myself in baking as well. Cooking is the ONLY thing that I still feel competent to do at this point. And it gives me a joy from both completing the activity and feeding people.
May 15, 2021
I don't honestly know. The only thing I can say is that I continue to fall back on my experiences growing up and the people in my life who taught me how to be in the world. We didn't always have a lot, but we had our love for each other, and the willingness to roll up our sleeves, and pitch in and do what it took to contribute to keep things going. I remind myself of all of their guidance and life lessons and I keep coming up with reminders of some key philosophies: - the importance of listening to others and doing what I can to help, even if it might seem small. - The importance of just taking each day as it comes and to do my best (sometimes that might be just to get through the day). - And reminding myself that this isn't going to last forever and to keep my faith and hope in what's good and to try to stay positive and encouraging. - Gratitude - It's been very important to me to every day think of what/who I'm grateful for (family, friends, good health, a roof over my head, food on the table) and to share what I have with others. I find comfort and strength in those ideas and thinking about my loved ones and what they would do.
November 5, 2020