Too busy. Out of balance. Need to slow down.
Time to make pudding.
It's a bit of a contradiction that the thing I need most when I have the least time is to do something that takes time. That makes me step away from the continuously stirring details of my life. That requires me to stand there, at the stove, for ten or fifteen solid minutes (which, my goodness, is clearly no time at all but can feel like infinity when there are places to be and things to do) and literally stir continuously.
There are microwave directions that would shorten this chore, this pudding-making, to just a couple minutes. But then I wouldn't lean against the counter, a wooden spoon twirling rhythmically from my hand to the silver pot, steam slowly rising, a book bent back in my other hand and my rare attention focused on it, the sun's striations streaming in the window, the sweet strains of a child's violin lilting in the air, distant laughter, a lone dog barking, the omnipresent scent of rosemary strikingly strong and distinct for just a moment, working its alchemy on me, tickling memories awake, indelibly imprinting this memory, this moment in my mind.
My mother told me that she was the only one in her household that her mother trusted to make the pudding. That she was the only one who would stand there, patiently, and stir. For many years, I thought that my grandmother had simply hoodwinked my mom and made her think that this tedious chore was actually an honor. Yet, now I know the truth. That it is a gift.
Posts
2 comments:
I wish the whole world would make some pudding
I love cooking and I find it really relaxing. When you take time and as the Buddhists would say use the time as a cooking meditation. If we could simplify our lives we could practice living in the moment and experiencing what that moment brings or is.
Namaste, Greetings to you and yours.
Okay what were you cooking Pattie? It looks good I shall have 3 bowls full, 1 for the master, 1 for the dame and 1 for the little boy who lives down the lane .
Post a Comment