#322 Pies Yes, Cakes No-Another Jane Story

If memory serves me right, it was the mid 1940’s. My dad was in the army and stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA. We shared a house in Savannah with another military couple, but that’s another story. This one has to do with Jane’s abilities as a baker.

She has always been a very good cook. She was never one to shy away from preparing spicy foods. Her pies were to die for. By her own admission she doesn’t bake cakes.

At the time we lived in Savannah, Mom Townsend was a next door neighbor. I believe she was a native of Savannah, so she spoke with a wonderful Southern accent. An interesting aside which has nothing to do with the story.

Mom T was an optimistic person who was willing to be of service to others. When Jane told her that cakes seemed to beyond her, Mom T said that they should bake a cake together. On the appointed day, at the appointed time they met at Mom T’s house. The concept of the operation was for them to use the same recipe and the same ingredients and each bake a cake at the same time.

The lesson was on. They measured, mixed, greased the pans and poured the batter into them. Each into their own pan. Into the oven for the required time. The timer rang. The cakes were removed. Mom T’s cake was absolutely beautiful. It had risen as cakes are supposed to. However, Jane’s cake was not cooperating. It had turned out as she had predicted – as flat as a pancake. Mom T couldn’t believe it. She admitted that she was mystified by the experience. Mom T’s advice to Jane was to continue to do what you do best, bake pies. Jane followed that advice.

The sad thing is that Jane can no longer cook. Her capacity to do much of anything has diminished with time.

#322