Last night I felt the need for some volume baking, so I baked 24 loaves of basic white bread. Five were devoured at monk supper (salisbury steak with gravy, so there was some serious mopping action going on!) and another two at breakfast, and 16 went into the freezer for a craft sale this weekend in Spring Valley (Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community center, see the events page for more info). But I kept one out for a visit to my baking friend Kay, who is in the nursing home at Streator. We met years ago when I used to do the Rent-a-Monk thing at her parish on a regular basis. I heard that she hasn't been eating well and I figured some homemade bread would sharpen her appetite. I brought along a bread knife and some St. Bede honey, and nipped some real butter from the dining room staff. Her daughter Anna works at the facility, so she joined us for some bread and fellowship, too.
Now let me assure you that is not some sideways attempt to make a big deal out of this visit or portray myself as some monastic angel of mercy. I don't visit her anywhere near often enough, and I should be showing up at the Vet's Home more often, too--especially this week. But I figure most Breadheads are as busy as I am and could probably use a little reminder to take the time to bake a little something to share with an older friend who can't get out much. It doesn't have to be 24 loaves---make a quick batch of dried cherry scones or banana bread, or fix brownies out of a box if you have to. The food isn't as important as the affection, and the time you take out of your schedule will seem like a small sacrifice compared to what it will mean to the person you visit. "Whatever you did to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me." (Mt 25:40)
Now let me assure you that is not some sideways attempt to make a big deal out of this visit or portray myself as some monastic angel of mercy. I don't visit her anywhere near often enough, and I should be showing up at the Vet's Home more often, too--especially this week. But I figure most Breadheads are as busy as I am and could probably use a little reminder to take the time to bake a little something to share with an older friend who can't get out much. It doesn't have to be 24 loaves---make a quick batch of dried cherry scones or banana bread, or fix brownies out of a box if you have to. The food isn't as important as the affection, and the time you take out of your schedule will seem like a small sacrifice compared to what it will mean to the person you visit. "Whatever you did to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did to me." (Mt 25:40)
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