Having Too vs. Desiring Too
Yesterday I began the sourdough starter process all over again, because during the whole move/remodel process I neglected to feed the previous batch and the starter became a black moldy mess. It’s not a terribly big deal for me to make some new starter and in the meantime, I can use commercial yeast for our bread baking needs. However, it got me thinking.
I do a lot of things, like canning and bread baking, for several reasons: I enjoy it, it makes sense according to my values, I believe its healthier, etc. I also do these things because I believe there may a come a time when doing things this way, the “old-fashioned” way, may not be optional, it may be required in order to survive. It occurred to me how incredibly spoiled I am, that I could let my starter die because it simply wasn’t convenient for me at the time to ensure that it was fed. It was no big deal because even without commercial yeast I could go to the store and/or bakery and pick from a multitude of ready made bread to feed Jeff and I.
I notice many things that I treat the same way. No garden this year because the move didn’t make it convenient for me to start one. I have other reasons, of course, getting the soil ready, etc. However, if I really needed that food to survive, the garden would have been planted. As it is, I can buy from local farmers, the grocery store, etc. It’s a crutch I use, all these modern conveniences and safety nets. I’m glad that they’re there, don’t get me wrong. It’s just an awareness I’ve come too.
Honestly, I’m busy and the move and working full-time made it very difficult to keep up with just the basics like dinner and laundry let alone planting a garden and baking bread. I’m not being hard on myself, I am realistic about my time constraints (most of the time). However, I do think its good to be aware of what I’m using as a crutch so that I can weed those out in preparation for the time when they might not be available.
There is a big difference in how we treat our ways of life when we look them through the lenses of “having too” and “desiring too,” having too requires discipline and forethought with potentially dire consequences when not done, desiring too only requires interest and a little motivation with no consequences. That’s a big difference in how we live each day and one in which I need to pay closer attention.
I can really appreciate your ponderings. I not only believe things are of better quality that I can, produce, or bake but I am also cognizant of the lesson that I am for my children. My kids get it and I know that. The two teen boys started haying yesterday in trade for hay for our animals. I recognize their sacrifice as I am sure that they would rather have cash money. I hope they see our sacrifice for them.
My girls made cookies tonight, with a little bit of help from mom.
They were having such a good time and enjoying the process of it. My youngest mentioned making thin mints like the Girl Scout cookies. I mentioned those might be a little more involved than the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies they were making. My youngest asked if the cookies were made by the Girl Scout girls (I guess we don’t eat enough GS cookies LOL). I told her no, that they just sell them. My youngest said, oh, they are made in factories. Then my oldest says a lot of food is made in factories. They were quiet for a moment as they looked at the refrigerator and partially open pantry. Then they smiled at each other and said, not our cookies!
ack! What an excellent post.
I great post and not unlike my own thoughts over not planting my own garden this year.
I think priority wins over on wanting to or needing to. I think the priority would have been different if it needed to be. Thanks to careful planning we both had a back up plan even if it ment help from another source (the grocery store). Thats what I think our job running our house is, planning and priority for the best for our family. Darn good job you have done! Seems you have been very busy and came through with flying colors…
My bet is when needed you will come through again without second guessing you have already thought about it.
Have fun putting up your harvest
Karyn
I great post and not unlike my own thoughts over not planting my own garden this year.
I think priority wins over on wanting to or needing to. I think the priority would have been different if it needed to be. Thanks to careful planning we both had a back up plan even if it ment help from another source (the grocery store). Thats what I think our job running our house is, planning and priority for the best for our family. Darn good job you have done! Seems you have been very busy and came through with flying colors…
My bet is when needed you will come through again without second guessing you have already thought about it.
Have fun putting up your harvest
Karyn
I great post and not unlike my own thoughts over not planting my own garden this year.
I think priority wins over on wanting to or needing to. I think the priority would have been different if it needed to be. Thanks to careful planning we both had a back up plan even if it ment help from another source (the grocery store). Thats what I think our job running our house is, planning and priority for the best for our family. Darn good job you have done! Seems you have been very busy and came through with flying colors…
My bet is when needed you will come through again without second guessing you have already thought about it.
Have fun putting up your harvest
Karyn
I great post and not unlike my own thoughts over not planting my own garden this year.
I think priority wins over on wanting to or needing to. I think the priority would have been different if it needed to be. Thanks to careful planning we both had a back up plan even if it ment help from another source (the grocery store). Thats what I think our job running our house is, planning and priority for the best for our family. Darn good job you have done! Seems you have been very busy and came through with flying colors…
My bet is when needed you will come through again without second guessing you have already thought about it.
Have fun putting up your harvest
Karyn