The Great Bread Machine Revival?

People, we are seeing a movement like we haven't since the nineties!  It is full on revival!  It's another Great Awakening and no, I'm not talking 1890s...bread machines are back in demand!  That wasn't what you thought I was talking about, was it (though maybe the title gave it away).  Is this news, probably not, I'm only aware of it because my bread machine decided to have mental issues yesterday and my husband's answer was to go price shopping online, only to discover the things are sold out everywhere.  Happily my own unit came out of its stupor and seems to be working again, but I was still intrigued by the temporary shortage of something so obscure as a bread machine.

When all this started I noted that bread was completely sold out in our store for a week or two, but as I haven't bought bread in over a decade, it wasn't more than an idle curiosity, though I also noted that the flour was all gone and so was the yeast.  Apparently people were going to try making their own and this bread machine shortage shows how widespread that idea is.  I find it wonderful that this pandemic has produced such unexpected and wholesome fruits.  A couple months ago, bread making was a lost art, only practiced by foodies with an interest in that sort of thing or by necessity for those with dietary issues, but most people in general, had no clue about the process.  Necessity has forced us to look back to the wisdom of the past, to wonder how our forebears survived in a world without Google and Wonder Bread.  And what will be the result?  Has a whole new generation of bread makers come of age?  Long after this crisis passes, will they still have their sleeves rolled up and covered in flour, recapturing the joy of turning water and flour into a true culinary miracle?

What other 'ancient wisdom,' will we rediscover out of doubt, fear, necessity, or boredom?  What about the answers to the great questions of life?  Why are we here?  Where did we come from and where are we going?  Why is there evil, pain, and suffering in the world?  Perhaps it is time to rediscover the faith with answers to those tough questions, have you discovered the Bread of Life?  Even if you can't get your hands on a bread machine, the 'Bread that comes down from Heaven' is available anytime, anywhere, to everyone!