Amidst all this self-isolation, I’ve discovered new ways to keep from going crazy, which has happened a few times. The unexpected evolution of these new hobbies is a spin-off of my gardening and cooking passions. They are bird watching and bread-making, one using the right side of my brain and an inactive pursuit, and the other more science-focused, active, and sometimes frustrating. Both have helped fend off the loneliness.
Weeding is my usual therapy and helps me generate ideas for my writing, except for these days, when my garden is the cleanest of weeds it’s been in years. I started to tidy up the garage, and that became boring all too soon, but in the process, I did find two old bird feeders. A good scrub and new seed were all that was needed to lure new feathered friends into my yard. It took a few weeks but now my garden is a flurry of birds. The doves arrive in the early morning and come back later for happy hour. The juvenile doves are so fun to watch; they are wobbly and still unsure of their new wings. Finches and sparrows feed mid-day, and the bluejays, crows, parrots, and occasional hawks swing by to enjoy the vibe. I’ve observed the mourning doves’ mating dance, parrots entertaining me and themselves, yellow-bellied, black and white spotted wrens who are so breathtakingly beautiful, and recently, a bluejay who loves to hang out with me on my patio. Time slips away, and some days, my mom will ask me what I did all day, and I’ll say, “I watched the birds!”
The doves especially have made such an impression on me that they now have a role in the historical fiction novel I’m writing called The Sicilian Sorceress. Doves have been written about since the Bronze Age and were revered in ancient Greece as signs of peace, devotion, love, and friendship. Doves mate for life. The things I’ve learned!
Without this pandemic, I would never have met these new friends who keep me company during the lonely times and show me that all we really need is food, song, and love.
On to my next new interest – bread-making. Pastries and baking were the focus and passion of my life for many years but only included smidgens of bread science. And what a science it is! Using a starter instead of instant yeast is a whole new ballgame, as I recently discovered. I tried making my own starter, but then the flour shortage happened. According to King Arthur’s recipe, you must feed the starter with one cup of flour twice a day. My flour stash was quickly evaporating, so that put an end to starting from scratch. A friend in Portland, Oregon, sent me a starter and gave me directions to keep it going using way less flour, so I was back in business. My friend Eva shared her technique for making sourdough bread, and I thought to myself, “No sweat!” Wrong again. Two days of vigilant fermenting, stretching, and worshipping the dough resulted in a watery mess without enough character to even form a ball. Dejected, it quickly found the trash can, and I was more determined than ever to learn how to make a decent loaf. Not that I want to be a bread queen, but I figure when your brain takes on a new challenge, it usually “rises” to the occasion. My aunt recommended Ken Forkish’s book, Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast, and I read almost half of it in one sitting. I’ll start slow to gain confidence before I move on to more complicated bread. I don’t have a choice – I just ordered 50# of flour!
I hope you are finding some diversions to help you through this delirious time. Please let me know what you are doing to stay sane.
As I learned from Sparky, when things aren’t going the way you want them to, Shift Your Energy!
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Ciao for now,
A huge thank you for sharing bird watching and bread making. Your visits make this “shut in” tolerable.
I’m so glad my “reserve” of wild life feeds your soul as it does mine. The rabbits and squirrels and variety of birds keep me sane as well. Looking forward to our next visit. Love you!
Dear Mary
As usual you always give us something to think about………..Your beautiful yard encourages the birds to visit you and I am in awe of the parots……lovely.
Lucky you that the bluejay is a part of your bird yard party. BTW they love peanuts…..I leave seed on the deck for birds mostly for cardinals to please visit. My hummingbird feeder cannot be used because the squirrels take it down.
And then your bread – 50 lb flour……you better open a bakery. I have not been able to do the sour dough bread but throughout the winter made ciabattas – focacca – to success. My time consuming day is filled with reading……I am into WW11 maybe because of how it relates to our modern world………..at times it is scary of so many coinsidences. Keep your news and recipes coming – can’t wait for the solution for sour dough starter – I am very interested!!!!!
luv you cuz- hugs across the miles
jane
Birds are so full of hope and joy right now! I’ve seen mockingbirds, blue jays, doves, woodpeckers, quail, herons, wrens, roadrunners, crows, finches, ducks, pelicans, hawks…they all seem to have something important to do, even if it’s just preening in the sunshine. Parrots are pretty special!
When you have your starter perfected, share with us. My flour needs a purpose!
Thanks for sharing your little bit of paradise!
A heartening message on the ways self-isolation can make us more aware of the natural world around us and give us time to indulge our passions in new ways. I am seeing species of birds out my window I’ve never seen in these parts before, and writing forms of poetry I’ve never tried. But there are still days that leave me flat-out depressed, too. So stay safe and stay well, moi belle soeur, and let’s hope we can hug sometime in 2020!
Thank you for sharing. Love that you find beauty around you. Happy bread making.
I love this Mary. Thank you for putting a smile on my face.
I still envision you living in Italy, baking your bread and seeing all the beauty that nature has to offer.
Big love to you and your endeavors, and to the memory of your beloved Sparky.
Warmly,
Gerry Ellen
Dear Mary,
I love how you worked in Sparky’s philosophy at the end of your column. “Shift your energy.” He really was a most loving, wise one!
Also, your column comes as a great delight to your birdwatching friends in Colorado! Love that you have a new outdoor leisure activity! The birds certainly have a beautiful yard to enjoy! Have any made nests?
Looking forward to reading more about your bread making. I have bread and pizza dough recipes from my Italian godmother and grandmother…but my waistline is telling me to hold off!!! BUT, I can always enjoy your beautiful write ups and photos!
Much love,
Linda & Carl
Thank you Linda! Now I understand your and Carl’s love of bird watching. It’s interesting to see a species seemingly unaffected by the virus. Every day is a new adventure. As for the bread, I’m picking up my 50# bag on Saturday so will keep you posted on my progress. XXOO
Thanks Gerry Ellen! You inspire me so much with your nature sightings and descriptions. I hope our paths cross again someday! XXOO
Thank you Joanne!! XXOO
Thank you my big sis! You are my writing inspiration. How cool that you are seeing new kinds of birds. Me too – there are only a few of these yellow-breasted wrens with black and white spots on their wings. One flew into my window last week and I picked her up and stroked her until she was able to calm down and fly away. The gift was observing her interlacing colors up close. I fell in love! XXOO
Thanks Jolie! I will definitely share starter with you when we can see each other. I’m so glad you have an array of birds to watch too. The baby doves are so hilarious, sometimes acting like drunk sailors! I’ve even found a new appreciation for the crows! XXOO
Thank you Jane! Yes, bread-making has its challenges but I am working at it. I get my flour on Saturday so the fun begins! I too love WWII books. Would you share with me your favourites? Mine so far is The Nightengale. Incredible story! Take good care my dear cuz. XXOO
Thanks Mommabird! I’m so happy you too have set up feeders for the birds. It was so cool to see a hawk preening in your tree! Keep those binoculars handy!! XXXOOO
my interest in WW!! has evolved over the past few years and more so in recent years because of our current administration which is a test in saving our democracy. These stories based on historical truths show me that few people in our current society would not survive…… The book I just finished is “when time stopped” a memior written by a daughter who looks into her fathers’ past after he died. My current read is “my name is Eva” – Others that are excellent – “The Tuscon Child” and “The lilac girls” I have read others that are stunning and make one think – that freedom is indeed fragile. Perhaps that is why immigrants appreciate this country so very much. Keep me updated on your bread …………..what brand of flour do you use? I pretty much stay with King Arthur. luv u cuz/jane
Looking forward to virtual sourdough coaching. Love you!
Eva