Quaker Baker

I spent the day monitoring an online dialogue of 70 people whom we call “positive mavericks.” They are pushing for change within their investment firms, law firms, consultancies, NGOs, universities, etc. Specifically change that will bring about rapid decreases in greenhouse gas emissions. A retired executive from the Bank of England is on board, as are a top shareholder litigator from the US, a private equity specialist in London, and pension officials in Canada and Australia. The dialogue crosses many time zones so I babysit it from about 9am until 7:30, when I’m worn out. My job is to insert the odd comment and to extract key takeaways, which are fed into daily summaries.

Yesterday I worked at Raj’s but today I’m working at Carolyn Hayman’s in Kentish Town, where I’m staying. I love it here and Carolyn is such a wonderful hostess. She’s a Quaker and I just love being around Quakers because there’s no drama, no fuss, no frills, just get the work done. Her home is full of books, no TV, quiet, nice view through French doors of her garden. It’s a perfect place to do a stressful job. Carolyn’s e-mail address includes the phrase Quaker baker because she loves to cook. Tonight we were joined by her sister, her daughter, and her friend, an American Quaker who has lived most of her adult life in London. Carolyn made a savoury cheese pastry ring that was beautiful and was filled with sautéed mushrooms that were delicious. Why do I always buy the cheap tasteless mushrooms at the store instead of the yummy long chewy ones she served? Dessert was a rose cake with a rose icing--I’d never tasted anything that tasted like a rose. It was incredible.

I’d had a stressful day because I was dealing with edits to my long Missing60 article, updating three charts in the article (using a massive spreadsheet), and keeping up with the dialogue. The dinner and companionship were just what I needed. Discussion over dinner was about the social welfare council where Carolyn’s daughter works. Carolyn has worked on reconciliation in Sri Lanka, she’s worked with refugees from Cameroon, she’s worked with a variety of NGOs. I feel honoured to spend time in her circle.

Could it get any better? Why yes it can. After dinner, they pulled out their instruments and I was treated to a Quaker quartet. Cello, viola, and two violins. Mozart, Dvorak, others. I loved eavesdropping on their conversations after each piece. Musicians comparing notes on what they like and don’t like about a composition. So out of my world of experiences. I did dishes while they played. It was lovely beyond description.

I’m amazed at these moments that crop up in my life. I’m like a lot of mortals in that I often forget how incredibly fortunate I am.
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