More Than Bread

In My Kitchen, July 2010 »

More Than Bread

July 14, 2010 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

When I got home I heard John Barbirolli conducting Beethoven’s ‘Seventh Symphony’, over the air. What was agriculture for, it seemed to me, except that such a thing as that symphony and the playing of it should be made possible? To make bread so that it shall be possible for mankind to have more than bread and hear the scripture of the kings; to listen to a Beethoven, a Sibelius, a Tchaikovsky, uttering some far message to paradox and joy.

John Stewart Collis, The Worm Forgives the Plough,
reflecting on the meaning and purpose of agriculture
after working on the land during WWII.

Posted in Musings | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on July 14, 2010 at 9:11 pm Craig

Thankyou Celia, the earth and bread from the earth and the heart makes a loving canvas for life.
Craig
on July 14, 2010 at 9:38 pm heidiannie

I was just reading ‘The Little Red Hen’ to my grandson last week- that simple story always makes me uneasy.
This is a comforting answer to the question that goes unasked throughout the book- “Why should we go to such work for a couple of slices of bread?”

“…uttering some far message of paradox and joy.”

Thank you, Celia.
on July 14, 2010 at 10:18 pm sallybr

Beautiful words…. That was a nice post to read first thing in the morning, with my capuccino next to the computer, and a dream of bread in my mind
on July 14, 2010 at 10:46 pm frances

Except I think that the seeds of music might have been found in the idle time shepherds spent watching their flocks and whittling flutes and working out astronomical principles, all in order to make sure that there was cold lamb to go on the bread when agriculture arrived
on July 15, 2010 at 6:52 am Kitchen Butterfly

Gorgeous….and the holey bread is a perfect reflection of the poetry!
on July 15, 2010 at 8:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

I’m glad you all enjoyed the quote as much as I did! :)
on July 15, 2010 at 11:18 am Jan

That was beautiful. I love it here in blogland, but now I can go back to my housework with a different perspective. Sometimes the beauty of everyday domesticity gets flushed clean round the S-bend! This afternoon I shall make bread for my soul.
on July 15, 2010 at 4:43 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

A really lovely quote Celia! And that bread looks divine! :)
on July 15, 2010 at 7:59 pm Christine

Just beautiful. The quote AND the bread :)
on July 15, 2010 at 8:12 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Jan, I hope you had a wonderful afternoon of breadmaking – you’re right, it is good for the soul.. :)

Lorraine and Christine, thank you! Spelt sourdough, I was very happy with how it turned out.
on July 15, 2010 at 10:03 pm bagnidilucca

That certainly is good looking bread!
- on July 16, 2010 at 6:54 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Deb! :)
on July 17, 2010 at 8:16 am twistedvines

Hi Celia…I have an award for YOU…And I wouldlove it if you accept it…Yvette x

http://yvettesblogs.com/2010/07/16/rose-petal-pink/
- on July 17, 2010 at 8:22 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Yvette, thank you so much! :)