Favorite Places: The Crumpet Shop
Yesterday the kids and I did one of our favorite things--took the train down the market, settled in to our favorite table at The Crumpet Shop, and watched the tattooed, graceful crumpet-maker through the window. In mesmerizing rhythm, he heats up the griddle and lines it with stainless steel rings. Then he pours crumpet batter into each ring, flipping them after they've developed beautiuful little bubbles. When they're done, he lays them out symmetrically on a prep table. After they cool, he flips the rings off onto an offset spatula until, by the end, he's got a row of tinkling rings running down the length of his arm. And he does all of this with perfect, intentional posture, smiling at the kids and doing a few extra tricks.
I've never talked to him about his job. It's possible he is bored or disgruntled. But it sure doesn't seem like it. My bet is he enjoys crumpet-making, taking great pride in the finished product AND the process. And we get to witness him creating something, that alchemy that happens when we're putting something new into the world, even if it's the 1000th crumpet of the day. We always buy a pack to bring home, too, and I was grateful to him all over again this morning.
I also took the kids to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) yesterday, then ended the day at a Patty Griffin concert with Emily, Rebecca, Julia, and Sue. So I had lots of opportunities to think about creativity. I didn't set out to craft some sort of meditation on the subject, but you know me. Many days, it feels like I wake up with one bent-up puzzle piece, randomly colored. By the end of the day, I've spotted other interlocking pieces, and the picture that develops ends up here. Other writers or artists of any kind will know what I mean. We create to make sense of things.
SAM is at the end of an Alexander Calder exhibit--the great late sculptor whose Eagle rises into the Seattle skyline at the Olympic Sculpture Park. Rushing through the museum, imploring Loretta, "Don't touch! Just look!", there was a photo I can't stop thinking about. It was a black-and-white print of Calder in his studio. He was sitting amid countless tools, scraps of wood, and little metal pieces in what looked like an old barn in the middle of a field. He wasn't looking at the camera, but he wasn't working, either. Maybe he was taking a break before he kept sketching. Maybe he was wondering where the Eagle would end up. Maybe he was mad at his wife and came out to the studio for a stiff drink. Whatever the case, I was struck with what lonely, hard work creating things can be, and glad he stuck with it. (Check out this sketch of the Eagle from my sister at Spill Studio. It's pretty great to have our own Calder in the family.)
Then Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller last night. God. Loved every blessed minute of it. And thinking, "This is what it means to be human. Making music like everything depends on it." There were lots of songs about death --some mournful, some with a bluegrass twang. But listening to them made me less scared of death, more inclined to make the most of this time we have. I've always wanted to play the mandolin. I'm not going to take that one off the list.
Today, Yancey's on shift and it's Wyatt's last day of spring break. Yancey's taking his one-year probationary firefighter test and feels the pressure keenly. I have to pay bills and do some work during Loretta's nap. And finish cleaning out the stupid bathroom closet. But I carry with me the crumpet-maker, sculptor, and singer. We are together, making sense of things in whatever ways we can.
April 2, 2010
Reader Comments (16)
Amen, Amen. Making (blank) like everything depends on it. And it does. And we do depend on it.
Praying for it all.
AMEN. You said it , Sister! Isn't it lovely to get creative input and inspiration, and to know that it's COMMUNICABLE???? Thanks a lot for passing that torch right along!
Crumpets, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, and SAM , what a way to fill the cup up. Hope it overflowed.
Sounds like it's just what you needed after all that consulting work you've been doing.
I want one of those ultra soft crumpets right now!
One more thing...I can't help putting a link to this here (is that ok?). I love Alexander Calder's eagle. Here's a sketch of it from 2 years ago:
http://www.spillstudio.com/blog/2008/5/30/olympic-sculpture-park-friday-afternoon.html
Good golly, Sarah. That was beautiful. You were born to do this (and by "this," I'm not sure what I mean--cook, write, create, piece it all together for us).
So glad I'm able to read along.
I didn't know who Patty Griffin was, so I looked her up and listened for about 15 seconds before I closed the tab. That is some C.O.U.N.T.R.Y. music. :shudders:
Is there anything better than watching someone who loves there work and does it well? Poetry in motion.
Of course it's okay! I forgot you did this. I love it so much. I put it up into the post. I hope THAT'S okay...
Of course that's ok! Thanks!
Wow! That sketch is so beautiful. And what a lovely day to share with us.
killing me!
Sorry, Em! She's got twang. I don't do twang.
love this post. love the essential reminder to be creative. thanks.
I love your honesty.
xo
You're in Seattle! Yay! I'll be able to find local things you mention!
One of your posts mentioned Veggie Tales. My partner did one of the voices for one episode when he worked for Big Idea in Chicago. Just a little bit of trivia brag. 'Bob Manatee' is his character's name.