By C.A. Bryson
Here I offer up to you, dear reader, a poem I wrote during the 2020 holiday season, and then following that is a tried and true recipe for Nova Scotia Oatcakes. I can personally vouch for their deliciousness and so can my father and neighbour.
And so, without further ado, here is my poem—I hope you like it, may it shine forth on your holiday, whatever your circumstances this year, as it has shone a light on mine.
The Light is In Our Faces
By C.A. Bryson
The lights are shimmering
In the portraits of my ancestors
The light is dancing
On their faces
Some still living
In the light, they live on
And I would have them here
To make merry this Christmas
I would hear their voices
And their laughter
And we would be together
Across the ages. One family,
One history, one never-ending
Story.
In your face grandmother is
My mother’s face and my sister’s
(And perhaps also mine)
A fierce Warrior face
Yet gentle and kind.
In my father’s beautiful baby picture
Is a laughing Buddha face
And I see my face there
In these words is our story
As it unravels.
Still there is laughter
Though there be many tears.
The Light is In Our Faces (continued):
Let us be glad this Christmas
That we are together
If only in the ether
Of space. Let us be proud
Of our history. And
Let us never ever forget
The faces of our ancestors
For there among the shadows
Of light and darkness
Our story is told.
Recipe for Nova Scotia Oatcakes
https://thespruceeats.com/nova-scotia-oatcakes-2215585
by Molly Watson
I made these oatcakes for my dad a few weeks ago and he loved them. I also gave some to my neighbour, who said they were delicious. I’m sure you will think so too. They aren’t very healthy I’m afraid because of all the shortening but isn’t that the way with delicious treats during the holidays? Perhaps just this once it is okay. You do need to be precise about the ratio of shortening to oats and flour, and I recommend only adding the water bit by bit, rather than all at once. Also, the baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the oatcakes. I found I didn’t need to add all the sugar, for those who prefer their snacks more savoury than sweet.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine in a bowl:
3 cups quick-cooking oats
3 cups flour
1 ½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup brown sugar (or white sugar will do)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
To this break up 2 cups shortening into cubes and add to flour mixture.
Combine with your hands.
Add, bit by bit 1/3 cup water (less 2 Tablespoons)
Roll out dough on floured surface or simply press onto a greased cookie sheet until ½ inch in thickness. Cut into 2X2 squares and bake 12-15 minutes. You may need to adjust the baking time to up to 17 minutes. When baked, allow to cool and transfer to air-tight container for storage. Makes about two dozen, I froze some of mine.
Incidentally, my father is not well I’m sorry to say, and this being the holiday season it is all the more difficult for my family. However, it is the season of light and therefore one must stay hopeful.
All the best to you, readers, for a happy and safe holiday. I look forward to more posts in the new year. In the meantime, stay well, and warm and I hope it will be a peaceful time of year for all of us, indeed, the world over. If there ever was a time when we should put aside our differences, it is now.
I am reminded of how during the First World War, soldiers on the front line declared a truce on Christmas Day, and played a game of football together, and passed around photos of all their dear ones at home. Let such a beautiful scene be an inspiration to us all.
CAB 2022
North Van Caregivers 