October 16, 2011 - 6:09pm
Home again, home again
After about 22-23 hours in transit from Johannesburg, which includes a 4-hour layover in Atlanta, I arrived in Kansas City just after noon on Friday. It's a wonderful thing. And kinda weird at the same time.
No baking this weekend. That will probably wait until next weekend. Meanwhile, I've been keeping busy with things like buying a pickup, getting a new cell phone, catching up with friends and neighbors, revisiting some favorite restaurants, yard work, sleeping, etc.
I'll post about the starter rehydration once I get that kicked off. I'll probably do more lurking than anything else for the next few days. There's a lot of catching up to do around the homestead.
Paul
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You're back just in time to rake leafs and find the windshield scrapers. You'll find WheatMontana flours at WalMart and sometimes Hodgson Mill rye. As usual, sports trump politics in KC. I hope you brought back some that wild SA starter with you.
Yep, I made a closer acquaintance with some ash, maple, redbud and a smattering of oak leaves this weekend. They make a lovely mulch for my vegetable garden beds. I found a functional snow shovel but probably need to buy the scrapers you mention.
My wife had already purchased some ww flour, so I don't know what brand it is. I did pick up a bag of the Hodgson Mills rye at the local Price Chopper supermarket.
The starter samples are rehydrating as we speak. I'll keep a log of their behavior as I go and post the results.
Paul
Welcome Home, Paul! its good to be back, isn't it? I hope you had a comfortable trip.
Awaiting your blogs.
And, wonder of wonders, I actually slept for several hours on the Johannesburg-Atlanta leg of the trip. The last time I was able to do that was um, well, uh, never, maybe? Gotta love those lie-flat seats in Business Class.
Paul
There's no place like home (to coin a well known phrase), so welcome to yours, Paul.
Funny, but it doesn't seem all that long ago that you told us of your SA assignment.
Interesting that you mention a fundamental, perhaps even normative, perceptual disparity. The traveler thinks that the time away was l-o-o-n-n-g. Those who stayed put almost universally have an "it seems like yesterday" type of perception. Maybe its time to let the psychologists into the physicists' playground. Or perhaps we need to develop a corollary for Einstein's law of relativity that applies specifically to sub-sonic travel.
Paul
I hope you and your starter don't suffer from too much culture shock.
David
I can't speak for the starter yet (it's just begun rehydrating) but I can say that there is an element of reverse culture shock at play for me. Thus far, it's generally positive. ;-)
Paul
Yes, it does take time...Be gentle with yourself and
Happy Baking!
Pat
I've only attended to the "must be done now" and the "want to do" items in the past few days, Pat. The "must be done soon" and the "should be done" items will have to wait for later.
Have I mentioned that I really, really like being back in my own kitchen?
Paul
its quirks or shortcomings - "your" kitchen is always your favorite... Mine, of course, reacted to my latest time away by having every major appliance fail - so my old kitchen is now a much new kitchen - but I know the feeling...
It has taken me more than a year to feel "back on track" after only 9 months away (although my demanding travel schedule after that 9 months may explain that) but even though you will be changed forever - you'll be amazed how the tide of life rolls on...
Take care.
Pat
Welcome back Paul.
There really is no place like home, especially for those naps, yes?
Ray
Naps, yes, and a whole lot of other things, too.
Paul
Hope your reaclimation goes well.
Glenn
Thanks, Glen. When I left, I went from the end of summer to the beginning of summer. Now that I'm back, I'm going from the end of winter to the beginning of winter. So, the climate is another one of those things to which I must acclimatize myself.
Paul
Thoroughly enjoyed you posts from SA. Glad you had a safe trip home.
Howard
I think. That assumes that you meant the posts were enjoyable regardless of the author's location, as opposed to the author's remote location making the posts more enjoyable. ;-)
With tongue in cheek,
Paul
jealousy! We are leaving our home for 3 months. My husband needs some specialized care and we will be away in rented digs for at least the next three months. I wonder if this furnished apartment will have a measuring spoon? or ??? Feeling a bit grumpy. Remind myself of a 2 year old getting ready to throw a major tantrum. It will be ugly. Pam
but glad to know that there is care available for him.
The various places I've been just haven't been geared to bread bakers even if they do have "well equipped" kitchens. If it is practical to do so, you may want to schelp along a few baking essentials. The list is really quite short. And, some things are inexpensive enough that you may be able to purchase them locally instead of dragging them along.
Best wishes for you and your husband.
Paul
hope your reacclimation is quick and smooth. of course, for those of us here, it's as though you never left!
Best,
Stan
PS: your book is in the mail!
That's great news about the book, Stan!
And thank you for your kind words. I have photographic evidence that I was indeed away, in case you need it. ;0
Paul