the joy of baking..

So the clocks went back and I woke up and got up at seven something in the morning. I just don’t get how it means you’re meant to get more sleep!
Anyway so I decided I’d quite like to go to mass. I know, I know, the obvious comments about reading stuff by one of the greats of catholic mysticism one day then wanting to head off to mass the next are anticipated, I don’t know, I just wanted the familiar routine, mass, in nice clothes and big coat, coming home, coffee, toast, papers, home truths on radio 4, that whole scene. So I walked to church, had the absolute joy of whitworth park all to myself at 8.30 on a lovely autumnly morning, talked to a squirrel and generally enjoyed the fresh air of doing what I wanted and not really needing a reason.
They’d had mass at 7, and the big slackers weren’t having another til 11, so I just went in and prayed among the all too familiar smells and sounds of a church..the organ man was practising his scales, the nuns were praying and some crazy lady was talking out loud to a statue of mary at the back.
I left soon though and had the bizarre experience of being the second customer of the day in caffe nero. The book came out and I moved onto reading of the second mansion. There was a page where she described the transition from the first to the second, and why it is necessary. She described what she was shown to be the state of people in this transition time. I nearly choked on my tepid Americano as I read..
Those who have already begun to practice prayer, and who realise the importance of not remaining in the first mansion, but who are not yet resolute enough to leave..they can understand the lord when he calls them, for as they gradually get nearer to the place where his majesty dwells, he becomes a very good neighbour to them. And such are his his mecy and goodness that, even when we are even when we are engaged in our worldly pastimes and businesses, and pleasures and hagglings, when we are falling into sins and rising from them again, this lord of ours is so anxious that we shoud desire him and strive after his companionship that he calls un ceaselessly, time after time, to approach him, and this voice of his is so sweet that the poor soul is consumed with grief at being unable to do his bidding immediately.
See…?
I really think I’ve started something..
i made lots of cakes, and a crumble, my best ever i think, and generally made the best kind of mess in the kitchen..then went to a gathering for watto prayer time at burdith..was good, everyone had cake and crumble and suddenly i missed being the hostess at maine road with cate..
went to big hands with matt and watto..then john hughes came too..the evening was lovely. generally a good weekend all round, feel as though i am finding feet here..wasn't expecting it would take time, but that was just dumb. i guess i have to find my feet with god though first right, then all else will follow...as the saying goes..x
ps i went to one of our local grocery stores on great western street to buy flour and baking powder. the lady in the shop disappeared out back when i told her i wanted some of the latter, and brought me some of her own from her kitchen, in a small bag that she gave me for free...sometimes m14 really is good to me..