Friday, January 27, 2012

Why Bread Triumphs Over Death


Whenever I bake bread
Grandma is here.
I knead dough on
the board in her kitchen,
scoop flour from her bin

She hovers, ibbur-like
as I settle the dough to rise
in her thick, ocher bowl

I slide glistening loaves
in the oven and wait
in her arms
breathing in the aroma
of warm bread


This is for G-man and his kick-ass FF55 where you can read lots of cool 55 word long bits and pieces.

Image: realbakingwithrose.com

16 comments:

  1. sounds like a fun filled day of baking
    Hope no knees were shaking
    As she hovered over you
    Making sure it came due

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    1. lol, it was a good kind of ghost to have around Pat, thanks.

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  2. nice...love the reminiscents in this...there are def som eactivities...and smells that bring them back every time...

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    1. Yup, and this was one for me :o) Thanks Brian.

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  3. Sweet ode to Grandma and the bread looks perfect.

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    1. Thank you Paige. I had a really great grandma!

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  4. the smell of bread is like a warm hug from grandma... and WHAT is ibbur? Dictionary .com has no idea either ;)

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    1. Hi Margaret - I learned the word Ibbur from a Jewish friend; it's spirit or ghost that remains in this world to fulfill a duty or obligation that she or he failed to fulfill in life. Not sure if I'm using it exactly as intended, but learning the word is what made me think of my grandma, and making bread with her. :o)

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  5. Love this...when I make potato soup for my son he is happy because it tastes just like grandma's soup :) I was really close to my grandmother and I wish I knew how to bake her sugar cookies....

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  6. Grandma taught me how to make the best meatloaf on the planet, and apple pie from scratch..no bread though--she only liked to bake sweet things. And a sweet 55 this is you've baked up, Mary.

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    1. Thanks Hedge. :o) I'm glad you have those kind of grandma memories too.

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  7. This is beautiful, Mary. I had to look up "ibbur" and I'm glad I did. How lovely to have your grandmother baking bread with you.
    Bread was my job when I was a teenager, and I cherished it. The yeasty smell of the dough, and then the amazing smell of the bread baking were irresistible. My arms and hands aren't strong enough now, and I rebel at the thought of a bread machine.
    K

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    1. Thank you Kay. And I agree, there is something not quite right about a bread machine.

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  8. Mary Bach...
    You are so cruel...I'm Dyan for Homemade Bread Here!
    Wonderful Memories, I was raised by My Grandma, and she baked her ass off!
    Loved Loved Loved your 55.
    Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End

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  9. lol, oh come on over - there's enough to share! Thanks G-man. Hope you're weekend is k-a too!

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