I'm suffering from PFF, Post France Funk, and I cannot actually get out of it. I have tried going for walks (but there's nothing to see in suburbia, and it's about 100 degrees and humid). The first visit to the grocery store, I went to buy a baguette--none. And then I put my finger on a few other "homemade" loaves and it was like pushing on something mushy. I was about to pull my hair out. For the love of all that is holy, where the heck is a bread with a hard crust?
So, I've taken things into my own hands. For the past two days, I've made my own bread--yesterday, french bread with whipped egg whites folded into the dough and covered with sesame seeds; today, a big old Italian mass--crusty, crusty, crusty (haven't had a bite yet--taking it to my brother's for their dinner they are hosting).
Yes, PFF--it's real. Coming back to the US with all its ugly bigotry, anger, hatred, and stupidity (yes, I'm also just a bitter Southerner these days who cannot believe we have let ourselves destroy every sane thing those before me fought a good bit of their adult lives for so others and new generations would not have to be the victims of prejudice and ignorance). I live in a world that is totally willing to kick its self down when it should be proudly standing tall. I'm tired of prayers, of nonsense, of "let's just all get along" when I see so much obstruction in our government--we can't get a supreme court justice approved, we can't agree that automatic weapons are not a good thing in the general public (believe me, seeing them daily in a policeman's hands was enough to scare me--in a CITIZEN's hands--good grief), and we can't even let a bathroom be a place where people (regardless of birthed gender) should PEE. I think it's all a conspiracy by men who are tired of women who always have to wait in the longest lines ever to pee. They want our lines to be even longer because we weren't born with man parts.
So yes, I'm suffering from PFF. And I'm baking bread. And this is not edited. And I'm an educator. And that just sucks.
Such a heartfelt post, Daryl. I' ve never been to America but I feel I have permanent PFF - and maybe it's not going to be so easy for we Brits to go there now. All I can say is that I feel for you. And your bread looks wonderful.
Ah...I've also encountered the post travel funk, though nothing so far as France. And I must agree with your sentiments on the state of the US ... but you've found a wonderful coping mechanism. Beautiful loaves! the one on the right has my mouth watering!
Maybe you should run for President, Daryl, you talk a lot more sense than the other two candidates do most of the time. And that's lovely looking bread as well.
I feel for you, post travel funk is hard to get over but I like our cooking therapy. The politics and populations of the so called civilised world seem to be on an auto destruct at the moment, hopefully some sanity will return soon.
Welcome home? I'd gladly eat this delicious looking bread for you. If you can't find decent bread in the Atlanta suburbs what hope do I have of finding any in Smalltown USA?!
As much as possible I tried my best to disconnect from the evil stuff-(tv) I hate bad news--it's very unhealthy..!!!:(..so if I were you,just close ur eyes, relax,breath & eat that home made,mouth-watering crispy, crunchy buttery French bread- glass of wine & enjoy a soothing Carla Bruni's French song-:)
Ah, Daryl... thanks for saying - loudly and clearly - what many of us are thinking. We've set our planet on what looks to be an irreversible road to ruin in just 100 years and we seem determined to hurry it on it's way. We're seeing the results of the 'me' culture in all its unpleasantness I think. I'm glad I'm old...
July 16th, 2016
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