Thrust into self-isolation, with extra time on our hands; we have all embraced Messenger and WhatsApp as very convenient tools to ensure we remain in touch. I quite like those applications, because just as with emails and most texts, I can send and receive information at times that work best for me. I still hear the occasional “bing” while I am - ahem - busy in the bathroom, often followed by a succession of further “bings” sent by someone who deems their message so important that they must remind me of it several times. I have told the texters, usually one of my children, that if it is an emergency, they can always contact the RCMP when I don’t answer right away. If the police can track down unknown perpetrators kilometres away from a crime scene, I’m sure they’ll find me.
Anyway. The on-line group discussions - some of which I participate in and a few that I simply watch unfold - are usually very lively. Everyone in our family has experienced some form of loss and unhappiness, and each one understands that sometimes, through no fault of our own, things can go wrong. All of them use humour to lend brevity to most of the situations we find ourselves in, and it is that lean to the funny side that helps remind us that even when bad stuff happens, life goes on.
Whenever Dave goes for cancer treatment, I send out a mass message afterwards to report on how it went - how many tries to get the needle in, how long it took - that sort of thing. This last time I was a little more solemn than usual, musing about an article we had read in the paper that morning about two young boys who, while undergoing cancer treatments themselves, found friendship through a mutual love of gaming. It reminded me of how lucky Dave and I are. I told our family how this, what we were going through, was a piece of cake compared to other people! Before I was allowed to even think about taking the discussion any more in-depth, this is what came back.
Michelle: Mmmmmm. Cake. Me: What? Ok. Cherry pie. Michelle: Is it pie or cake? You can’t have both. Or can you? Me: Yes, I can. I can have my cake and my pie too. Michelle: But I don’t have any pie. Tyler: Well, get baking then. Kim: Hahaha, fun fact. I am attempting to make a chocolate pie right now. The colour of my crust and middle doesn’t match what’s in the book. I feel like I’m on an episode of Nailed It! Lee: We should all apply and do a family episode of Nailed It! Michelle: Or we find a recipe, and all make it and then share our creations through Zoom! Kim: Nice. Good idea! Michelle: We could all try cinnamon buns. Kim: OMG, yes. Let’s do it.
I won’t share the whole conversation, but I can assure you that it was a fairly lengthy scroll that involved Lego and chocolate pies. The Saskatoon kids finally decided that fish-themed decorated cupcakes would be the technical challenge of the first Great Cameron Bake-Off. The following Saturday, we were all in our respective kitchens, sleeves rolled up and aprons on, arms elbow deep in icing. I cheated slightly by purchasing 4 ready-made cupcakes, whacking the tops off so I could replace them with toppings of my own. After all, I argued, the whole point of the competition was to show off our decorating skills, not the actual bake.
There was a bit of back and forth on that one, but eventually, everyone agreed. (I’m sure it was just to appease me, but a win is a win!) We had a lot of fun, and after the baking finished, Michelle connected us all by Messenger, and we shared the results. I was disqualified from the finale when someone pointed out that I ate a cupcake while the judging was taking place, but I didn’t mind. It was the best thirty minutes that I have experienced in the last three months as I was able to do what I have wanted all along - to be back with family again.
It looks like we are going to pursue further bake-offs until life returns to the point where travel is no longer discouraged, and visits in person will replace at least some of what we have been doing on-line. I am forever grateful that if this pandemic had to happen, that it was in a time when access to one another through electronic media is possible, with good connections and the programming to go with it. We have all been forced out of our comfort zone just a little, but it has been worth it. In the meantime, let the baking games begin!
- Liz Cameron
Comment on this story at lmtimes.ca/liz
Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer.