The weather
this winter has been nasty by times. We had our driveway plowed for the seventh
time yesterday. Two years ago, we went the entire winter without a single plow.
There was a lot of talk about global warming that winter, but maybe it isn’t as
far along as we anticipated. That’s not to say we don’t feel the effects. Our weather
patterns are definitely changing.
I have
managed to take a couple of items off the retirement bucket list. My wonderful
mother-in-law has shared more of her creative kitchen talents with me. A few
weeks back, I learned the craft of making brown bread. It is a fair amount of
work, but worth every bit! She shared with me, after we had finished, that she
expected to get her hands dirty showing me the art of kneading. To her
surprise, she didn’t have to lift a finger. Apparently, I take instruction
well. The end result was some of the most delectable brown bread I have ever
tasted. I’m looking forward to making more soon.
My next
cooking adventure was learning how to make mustard beans. As a kid, I was never
a fan of homemade pickles and the like. A neighbour lady changed that. Helen was
like a second mother. I spent as much time at her house as I did my own and
consumed many meals there with her family. At supper one evening, I was persuaded
to try the mustard beans made with beans from their garden. One taste and I was
hooked. I couldn’t get enough. For years after, Helen would make me my own
batch. Decades later, I shared this story with Mum. One day, a few weeks later,
she arrived at the house with a freshly made batch of mustard beans just for
me. Since then, she has continued to keep me stocked. As with the jelly and
brown bread, I wanted her to teach me how to make these while she her health and
can enjoy passing on her skill. As each year passes and we lose more of our older
loved ones and friends, I’m reminded that with them goes their memories and
knowledge. History that hasn’t been documented and is lost. Tidbits of
information they possess from past generations is gone forever. I’m hoping to retain
some of that wisdom so I can, in turn, pass it down the line. Hopefully,
someone below me in the family tree will have the same interest.
I guess I’m
feeling a bit philosophical today. I am in need of sunshine and fresh air. I’ve
had enough of winter and am ready to get outside and tick a few more items off
the list. I will get more into that next time. Hope you can join me.
