Writers Corner for July 6, 2012
LATE NIGHT SWEET TOOTH
By Joann Latimer, Post Falls
Okay, so I think I get the whole baking-as-therapy thing. Remember that old movie with Jessica Lange, and my imaginary friend, Joan Cusack, called "Men Don't Leave"? Jessica's character is recently widowed, and in coping with all the change in her life goes on manic, late night baking sprees. Now I realize that making a cherry crisp may not count as baking, but measuring soft flour into a bowl, with oats, salt, baking soda, and lastly folding in soft butter with my fingertips, really felt like baking. It was meditative, and soothing. As my family sleeps, and the TV hums in the background, I felt happily smug as I stirred the bubbling scarlet cherries, and sugar into syrupy goodness.
The process began tentatively while I pondered the bag of cherries in the refrigerator. I paid some attention to the evening news show, and some to the cherry crisp recipes I was reading, attempting to find one containing my particular ingredients. Surely this relaxing process needn't involve a trip to the store at 11 p.m. After all, that would be the time I would bump into some long-missed friend; she'd be in some gorgeous dress with hair done fresh off a date, and me in pajamas with darkened fingertips, looking askew.
When I happened upon the right recipe, and realized everyone really was asleep, and my project would likely not be interrupted, I sprang for the cherries, two bowls, and a paring knife. The tactile delight began as I sliced cherries in halves. Then they needed a gentle pull to release the pit. Oh yes, it would be messy. But how often do we get that childlike freedom to be messy? When is the last time you put your hands into something messy, unflinchingly, even delightedly? The more cherries I sliced, and pulled apart, the redder and juicier my hands became. Under my nails all hopelessly red and juicy. Now the timer has just beeped in a friendly manner, letting me know the cherry crisp is ready to be admired and ingested. There is something lovely and decadent about having my sweet treat now. Just me, and the Late Show's Top Ten List. Maybe next time I will try "actually baking" something.
If you would like to almost-bake, here is the recipe, from www.cooks.com:
CHERRY CRISP
1/4 c. flour;1 c. sugar; 1 c. sour cherries; 3/4 c. cherry juice
Heat cherries and sugar. Mix flour and juice and add to cherries. Cook until thick.
1 1/2 c. flour; 1/2 tsp. soda; 1/2 tsp. salt;1 c. brown sugar;1 c. oatmeal; 1/2 c. butter
Mix above ingredients until well blended. Put half in 12x10 glass pan. Pour cherries over this, then put other half over cherries. Bake 20 minutes at 325 degrees. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
•••
I COULD GO BACK
I could go back, I say aloud.
I did not leave in hate.
My plant is still in the window.
My key still fits the gate.
I could go back. It comforts me,
Especially when the cold winds blow
And the day goes by without the sun.
It just seems good to know.
I could give up and just go back.
I will always be welcome there.
They probably miss my song.
I could go back. What keeps me here?
What keeps me here?
When my dream is a saddened thing?
If I don't get a break this winter
I think I'll go back next spring.
- Sara Lowery, Hayden
•••
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