The Sharing of Food

A dinner of gifts

Whole grain bread wrapped for friends

Hi Steve and Winnie,

I recall sometimes when we would meet up in Bar Harbor you would bring some hot cross buns from your favorite little bakery in Ellsworth.  And, you were always taking casseroles and hot dishes to some of your meetings where you would have a pot luck first.  There is something special about the sharing of food.  At our Easter gathering on the ranch, one of my favorite things is the variety and tasting of all the side dishes brought by family and friends.  More than ever I appreciate the gift of food.  To come home from the hike and see a bag or box near the front door with vegetables or fruit is always a happy occasion.  My friend W. even brought a chicken the other day!

Do you remember me mentioning recently the man, William Coperthwaite, who lived so simply on the coast of Maine and wrote a book about it?  He tries to make most things by hand, and of course his life is very unusual and inspiring.  He had a great saying about the making and giving of things.   He says, "What if our attitude toward things changed?  What if they could not be bought but only given? . . . The object given might be burned or lost or broken, but the finest part of the gift would remain."  The other night I realized the items on my dinner plate had been mostly given to me.  My neighbors R & C gave me some beets, our farmer friend J. came by with the Brussel sprouts, and my other neighbor B. gave me some eggs -- I grew the little carrots.  Anyway, it was nice to look down at that plate and realize what was there.  I usually give bread away on each baking day -- I like to do this.  I'm not sure why, but I got in the habit of putting quotes on the bread bag -- one of the quotes is the one up above by Coperthwaite. These small gestures are part of what I love in my community.

Thinking of you.  Donna