There was a time when I used to think that I lived in a sit com...like Cheers (which I never watched) or Seinfeld. And I imagined that I had a part in this sit com...a walk on part as the town furniture maker. When I walk into the bakery wearing my apron I sometimes kid people by telling them that the town pays me to walk around in that costume to add "local color.." Sometimes people actually believe me.
These days I no longer believe that I live in a sit com. I live in a novel. Chestertown is a living novel. Everyone around here has a role. That's why you can be sitting at the bakery, by yourself, reading the paper and the next thing you know you're in the middle of some else's conversation sitting at the next table...or someone walks in - whom you barely know - and soon they are telling you what they think about what you just said to someone else. Really...this happens all the time.
By and large, I'm willing to play along...it's usually entertaining, frequently fun and sometimes I learn something about a issue of which I know nothing. But there's a limit...there are some questions and conversations that leave me feeling like Ricky Ricardo...
How many calories are in these croissants?
Do you have any low fat pastries?
Do you have any gluten free bread or pastries?
Do you have any skim milk?
Really? You've walked into a French Bakery where quality ingredients are what rule the day. The bread and pastries are made by hand, daily, not in a factory where everything is apportioned by machine. Today's sun bun might be just a tad bigger - or smaller than last week's. It's about the butter and cream and chocolate and...it's about the aromas, the romance of fine hand crafted foods
Yes, I know that I'm preaching to the choir...just had to get it off my chest...been holding this in for a while...I feel better now. Thanks.
A good bakery is heaven on earth...When eating good food is a joy, it is a crime to diminish that pleasure.
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