Bit by Bit

Monday I was wanting pizza and I did finally get pizza made by Wednesday. I thought I was very slow because I didn't have any dessert. Well, here's a relief I did finally get cinnamon rolls made.

When most of the kids left home our eating habits changed. I didn't make as many desserts, and one of those desserts was cinnamon rolls.

We moved 'back home' and life carried on as we settled in. I knew things needed to stop changing quite so much when my youngest son, who was still at home, didn't remember me making cinnamon rolls.

I tell people my grandma made the best cinnamon rolls, but in truth I've taken her ability and improved upon it. I have better supplies and I have built upon her example. So when Buddy didn't remember me making cinnamon rolls it was as if I'd let my grandma down as well as Buddy.

I don't know if I make the best cinnamon rolls, but my family likes to keep me happy and that's what they say. Now that Buddy's gone there is just Old Fuzzy and myself, I sure don't make cinnamon rolls often.

Back in the 1980s I sold baked goods at farmer's markets. I had my own recipe for whole wheat bread. It is almost like a dream, but in those days I ordered fifty pounds of whole wheat flour and fifty pounds of white unbleached flour each month, and baked about fifty loaves of whole wheat bread per week. That did not include the dinner rolls, and I eventually branched out into pies.

I never wrote my bread recipe down. If it is to be passed down it has to be to someone who wants to watch and learn from me. I only had one daughter and she was never interested. I hope I've not maliciously maligned her here, but it is what it is. I've never passed it on. I have tried to teach some of my grandsons (young fuzzies, LOL) how to make pie crust and a few other things. Maybe someday I'll show them how to make the bread.

I used to do everything fast. It is odd how things at some point feel as if they slip into slow motion. I've told others, some my age, and some young people, "I wish I could impart knowledge to younger people. Someday they will wake up older like me and my peers. They will see the opportunities they had when younger, but it will be too late."

After Old Fuzzy and I were married we lived close to his parents and farmed with them for the first three years. We went to our small congregation every week for church and Bible study, and at least once a month sometimes more we would spend Sunday afternoon playing Canasta with my grandparents.

We moved away for about four years then came back. We were much help to my grandparents, especially to my grandfather who outlived grandma by almost ten years. However we failed to see how much we needed to be closer to my in-laws earlier than we were.

We did come to see them every Sunday, but we were an hour a way. It may not seem far, except when there is a real need. And it's not a distance you 'just find yourself driving in the neighborhood and drop in for a visit...'

My mother-in-law was a jewel, and although my father-in-law could be an ornery cuss at times, they were both dear people. I've been blessed to have known and worked with them.

What I would say to younger people is, slow down and take a deep breath. Satan is a time thief. He's a life thief. One day you'll wake up and realize it's pretty much over. Pay attention to what you're trading your life for.

My grandmother had all sorts of sayings. One of them was, 'watch your pennies, your dollars will take care of themselves'. Life is similar. Our moments are like grains of sand, and they slip so easily through our fingers. Spend the time with your children, with family, and friends. That's what they will remember you for.

Ephesians 5:14 "Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee. 15) Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17) Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."