As I draw back further and further into what we're doing here I've managed to eek out a bit of a routine for daily farm bakery living. While Paul had the birds to give him a rhythm to his day, I had only the Bakery. And there were moments when the Bakery was quiet. Whether seasonal baking complete and lulls, dry spells or in this case... losing two clients back to back can drive anyone into a bit of a lull. The lull is nice. Life on Earth is often a frenetic pace for most people we come in contact with. Appointments, schedules, agendas and itineraries pushing the human equation forward relentlessly. That can be exhausting and downright tiring after 50+ years. While I am finally having time to sit and write, collect my thoughts and assign myself tomorrow's tasks and agendas there was another benefit. Daily Bread. The pandemic forced so many people out of their comfort zones into the realm of the home baker. And for someone like myself who already was baking on a regular basis, it made supplies scarce. Everyone turned to sourdough. Everyone, myself included. However, once the hype of fresh bread from our own oven wore off, so did the scarcity of staples. I was able to secure a 2 pound supply of active dry yeast. Plus we decided in December instead of spending hundreds on gifts we didn't actually need, we would buy bulk flours instead. I dabbled and discovered several kinds of flours, both in brands and styles. The journey is only beginning. What it did most, was organize and help me prioritize. It gave me a chance to see how it was possible to every day bake at least one loaf of bread. It gave me a chance to bulk up my Bakery freezer case with quantities of bread dough so we could attend farmer's markets and take orders. Giving myself a backstock of flavors from which to pull. It wasn't too difficult to work into my daily schedule but it took supply. It took practice. And it also took fine tuning recipes that are delicious, easy to bake and lovely to the eye. While I'll never be happy we had a pandemic, I will be grateful that my takeaway as a Baker is, I can and will bake bread daily as part of my Baker's mission on Earth. It's simply the very least that I can do. Or is it... the most?
0 Comments
To begin the journey of friendship, two individuals must agree and continue to agree they will continue being friends. At any point in time during friendships, one or the other without notice or apparent provocation can simply decide that the friendship has reached it's conclusion. To understand friendship and what it entails, one more also see that it takes a cooperative effort where both individuals involved in the relationship get equal billing as friends. What does this mean? It means that both friends, in the friendship take turns holding the microphone, the stage, the light, the cards, the check, the tissues and both share equal feels. What begins to happen when this isn't the case? What happens when only one person in the friendship gets to talk? Gets to be No. 1 and nobody else exists or gets a turn? What happens to friendship then? What can sometimes appear to be a fit, is simply one party masking approval while the other sucks up all the oxygen in the tent. The "friend" who is dominating the relationship stifles and smothers the non-speaking friend or friends in the room and no one is left with room to speak, to be noticed or even feel valued. This causes pain. Why is it so painful when you are ignored in friendships? Because we are under the belief system that we are sharing an experience with another human. Especially if that other human is in pain or transition off planet. We desire to wish them good things, when pain is all that seems to flourish in their midst. Not all relationships labels as friendships are sincere, authentic or friendships at all. Most "friendships" in today's transactional world are extensions of business relationships made friendlier by the exchange of money for goods, services and yes... even feels. People buy affection all the time. As kind people engage in business it can be difficult to tell rude, boorish or narcissists "No" or even "No thank you." Most of these types don't take "No" for an answer and will make this apparent the first time you don't put their needs before your own. Real friends, see your real needs and respond to them in ways that make you feel better. Fake friends, business friends or transactional relationships often leave you feeling hollow, masked and friendless once they depart the scene. Can fake friends leave a hole? Absolutely. Remember, these types suck up all the air in the room and they are always the most important people on scene. When they leave or tell you things, you don't feel better. Their compliments aren't true compliments. They are designed to grease the wheels after they see the wheels coming off their idea of friendship. Signs you can tell you are in a transactional relationship.
It's important to remember that Business is Business and not all friendships, even in business are in our best interest. Anyone who would place your business, your home, your spouse, family, pets and even in you in harm's way or jeopardy for their own benefit is not and never was your friend. People use other people all the time in the name of friendship. After awhile people catch on and steer clear of these individuals. You're not losing friends. You're gaining security.
|
AuthorMarihemp is presently owner/baker/farmer at Cloverleaf Farms in Door County, Wisconsin. Archives
January 2023
Categories |