I’m baking. Well, trying to bake. The first batch of flour had mites. Apparently, that’s a common problem for dry goods in warm, humid places, especially deep in the back of my pantry. The second package of flour appeared mite-free. At least, baking them, if there are any, will kill the little buggahs. All it took was some flour, salt, yeast, and water. And six or eight hours of patience while the dough rises.
The sun is even brighter today than yesterday.
According to a quick internet search, bay leaves (fresh or dried) dropped inside a container of flour (or littered around the pantry) will keep flour mites, as well as cockroaches, moths, rats, weevils, and other pests at bay. (See what I did there.) I wish there were something like bay leaves for viruses.
Lulu is sun-baking on the lanai. Soon, she’ll retreat to the inside of the house and find a cool spot on the floor. She’ll do this all day, go from warm to cool, the way some people go from a sauna to an ice-cold plunge at a spa. Every day is a day at a spa for Lulu. There are lessons to be learned from her.
Now, it’s evening. The bread dough has risen, and it’s about to go in the oven. If this experiment works, I can probably make a couple more loaves of bread with the remaining flour I have on hand, keeping Eric from running off to the grocery store.
Lulu isn’t the only one teaching me lessons these days. There are other animals helping. Like these Laysan albatross. Lucky for me, the colony I monitor is located on a remote part of Kauai. So, there’s not a single other human around. We’re in the midst of courtship season in the world of Laysan albatross, and from them, I’m reminded there is still joy in this world. Just look at the exuberance emanating off these two.
The bread just went into the oven. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be any good, at least, my house will smell like baking bread. And that’s something good.
Be well.
kimsrogers.com 
Hi Kim! If I spot buggies in flour, I put it in the freezer, freeze da buggies…and then bake ’em up. More protein! Take care, fond aloha, Barb
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What a welcome post during such times of national and world distress….it’s wonderful that live goes on with all the exuberance nature allows. Mahalo, very uplifting.
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Nice to hear from you, David. Be well.
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Kim I keep my flour in the freezer. Keeps it fresh and bug free 😁♥️💕❤️🤪
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Very nice, Kim. Part of my heart is there and I appreciate what you capture here. What’s more soothing than the smell of baking bread? And bay leaves too — I did not know that scrumptious tip!
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Yes, bay leaves. I’ve heard from others who confirm it. Whenever we go to the grocery store again, I’ll pick some up.
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My freezer’s not big enough!
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Thanks for taking up your pen once again! Your blog will be anticipated for daily or at least every other day from now on!
I keep my flour in the freezer. It doesn’t change the consistency! HMMM, bay leaves! Good to know!
Ahhh, to jump for joy, to preen ourselves, and kiss our loved ones once again! What happiness we’ll all have once this virus is abated!
Be safe!
Love, Connie
On Mon, Mar 23, 2020, 12:20 AM Kim Steutermann Rogers wrote:
> Kim Steutermann Rogers posted: “I’m baking. Well, trying to bake. The > first batch of flour had mites. Apparently, that’s a common problem for dry > goods in warm, humid places, especially deep in the back of my pantry. The > second package of flour appeared mite-free. At least, baking them,” >
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I wish I had a bigger freezer for all the things we put in it because of the humidity here! I know you get it.
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I love this! It’s upbeat and inspiring. I especially loved the part about the lessons learned from Lulu! Thanks. I can’t bake bread (no flour, mites or otherwise) but I can certainly get up off my butt and do something creative. Virtual hugs to you and Eric
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I hear stores are out of flour. I guess baking is a big thing these days;-)
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