Pie a Day Give Away

Triple Berry Pie

A few weeks ago, I wanted to bring a pie to the Northwest Nature Shop and I called to see if Kathy, the owner, was in that day. As it turned out, she was at a trade show and so I decided to give the pie to someone else. I knew that I would have another chance to see Kathy and honor her and her husband Mike.

Mike Uhtoff was a noted conservationist and he was an outdoor educator for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Portland Zoo, and he was also President of the Portland Audubon Society before moving to Ashland. He and Kathy opened the Northwest Nature Shop in 1985.

Though I lived in Ashland in the late 80’s, I was not familiar with the Nature Shop. It was not until we returned to Ashland as parents of young children in the mid 90’s, that it became one of my favorite places to shop for gifts. I loved the beautiful rocks, the incredible books, and the science behind the toys that they sold. When my son received a birthday invitation, I would go to the Nature Shop and buy a gift certificate because I wanted his friends to see the amazing things that this shop had to offer.

And from the “it’s a small world” category: A number of years ago, my husband and I spent a night at the Sylvia Beach Hotel at Nye Beach along the northern coast of Oregon. We found out that if you choose to eat dinner at the inn, you must eat at a table with other guests and play a game called “Two truths and a lie.” We dined with six other guests and when they found out that we lived in Ashland they asked if we knew the Uhtoff’s and told us about Mike’s work with the Audobon Society. I felt so lucky that I was able to say that I knew Mike and Kathy – even if only as a customer.

Today when I went to deliver the pie, I was told by Kathy’s son Chris that she was doing paperwork and that he would go and get her. I waited on the porch of the store and gently touched one of the wind chimes that they have hanging outside. It made a lovely sound and a moment later the wind picked up and soon all of the chimes began to sound off. It was truly a magical moment.

I would like to offer my thanks to the Uhtoff’s for the gift of this wonderful store, for their continued support of our community, and for the lasting legacy that Mike has left. Ashland is a much better place because of their presence.

For those of you who have been following along, today I am well into the “25 percent towards goal” category (93 pies made with a goal of 365). When I think of it as 93 different pies assembled on one table, it seems like a lot. But I have only been making one pie a day and that has been manageable for me…

Tonight I made a quiche for a lady who lost her life partner quite suddenly. Her name was given to me by a friend and my heart goes out to her because loss is something that is very hard to deal with and sudden loss is much harder. The world does not stop for us, even though we think that it should. And somehow we are expected to move on as well.

I don’t really don’t have any answers or perfect words of wisdom about loss. In my life, I’ve lost a number of friends and family members and it has never been easy. Once when I was at the funeral of a young girl I heard words that helped me. The preacher said that the shortest sentence in the Bible was “Jesus wept.” It was Jesus’ reaction to the death of a friend. When I heard that I thought, okay, I can relate to that. Jesus was not saying “Oh it’s God’s will” or anything like that – he was just sad and he was showing it.

I remember when I was about 14, a man I knew in our neighborhood died and I went to the wake to show my respect for him. At the funeral home I met his sons and I tried to tell them how sorry I was that their Dad had passed but I could barely speak through my tears. In short order they had me laughing at their jokes, etc. and I thought, shouldn’t I have done that for them? Later on I realized that by showing up and being there I offered them a respite that they might not otherwise have had.

Life can be difficult – and at times we are called upon to do things that might be uncomfortable. On some occasions we may be asked to expose our emotions or at other times we might have to appear vulnerable. And I would say that a life lived without showing emotions or vulnerability, isn’t really living. What are your thoughts?

I felt as if I was moving slowly today. And I suppose that is to be expected. To all the world I look as if I am fine, but inside I am a little bit broken. And there are so many of us that are that way – maybe not with broken bones – but with broken hearts or worse. We can’t take the world at face value because there is so much more to consider.

I used to think that it would be cool if we were like E.T. and we glowed if something was wrong. There is a part of me that thinks that this would be a good thing – others would know that we are hurting and perhaps be gentle with us. But then again, there are those that would prey on the suffering and take advantage of them. So, we have to navigate the world as best we can without “glowing” visual aids.

Today I met an older man at a grocery store who was learning how to be a cashier. He was challenged by the myriad of details but his attitude was good. I am sure that he never expected to be starting a new job at his age – but really – do we ever know what is awaiting us?

Today’s pie recipient was a young man who just turned 12 – his life bursting with possibilities. A perfect juxtaposition with the older cashier. And I wish them both the very best that life has to offer. Don’t we all deserve that?

My sincerest thanks for the many offers of help during this time…though there is really nothing I need done, I do so appreciate your willingness to help.