Turning the Record Over

Anyone who just dipped in here would think that my life is nothing but Multiple Sclerosis and cycling, with content on the latter reflecting that I am not as strong as I was. So, as 2024 idles in to 2025, it really is time change the emphasis, not just talk about it. Take the record, or LP, of life and turn it over. Enough about Side A, whats on Side B.

Bread

So, where this desire for a change come from. Well, last Monday, the weather was bad and my legs were not brilliant. No pain, just numb, stiff. MS doing it’s thing. I cycled indoors which is something for staying in condition and building consistency, not fun for me. Despite Zwift’s best efforts I will never enjoy it as much rides in the fresh air although I was not in the mood for getting soaked!

So what to do?

I like cooking. I like it a lot. Why I started this blog so long ago. Baking is something I never really managed. Still, there was flour and yeast in the cupboard because I keep meaning to try. So I had a quick dip in to my cookbooks, found a couple of guides and… went for it!

Pause

Kneading, then letting the dough rest before punching it down and shaping. Not really punching, though. That is the term the recipes use. A friendly tap is perhaps a better description. A lot of pausing, time to reflect. Not too seriously. Just the mental refreshment of a different rhythm, different feeling. Calm, relaxed. A film on in the background, then some music.

Happy! Sort of an active pause if that makes sense….

The end product was two loaves of bread that looked quite weird and didn’t rise as much as I hoped. The taste was a little bland as I was too passive with the salt. Lot’s to consider for the next attempt.

Still, it was something different for the day. The first act of turning the record over.

Restful Chaos

Change. I always preferred a bit of chaos to order. Doing different things. At work I go on about being disruptive and preferred that my diary is not over planned. Age played a role in changing that as life filled up and friends also need to plan more. It is selfish to inflict your chaos upon them. Then MS came and, as it imposes itself, just about everything needed more planning.

That day baking, though. Well, it was a small piece of restful chaos. It was not what I was planning to do, even if all the components were in house. I did not go to bed the night before thinking that I would spend a day baking. A day that could have been empty due to the weather and my legs was nicely busy.

Turning the Record Over

So here it goes. A plan to get that little bit of chaos back in my life, disrupt things, all starting with two loaves of indifferent bread. Perhaps I am tired of saying what I miss. It is time to revel in what I can do and, perhaps, plan a little less. Perhaps a private rebellion against MS? Yes, it certainly is. There is more to talk about. Bread, cooking, music, movies (something I never mention but which I love)…. Something creative? Not sure what, apart from keeping this blog. Something.

Well, let’s just see. Hopefully side B of the record will be a good listen.