Apple Blueberry Pie
A few years ago, I took a class called “Emotional Intelligence” at Southern Oregon University. One week our assignment was to notice things that were happening around us and this is what I noticed, albeit a bit too late. I had taken my son, Coco, shopping with me and we had pushed our cart to the checkout line but there was a person ahead of us with a full cart and so I knew we had a bit of a wait. As I stood there my mind was racing and I realized I’d forgotten a few things. I told my son to stay in line and hurried off to get the last few items. It was only when I was back and it was nearly my turn to checkout when I “noticed” the woman in front of me.
She was a young mother, her baby was crying, and there was some kind of trouble. Finally she became upset, said “Forget it”, picked up the baby, and left the store, leaving her groceries behind. I asked my son, “What just happened?” and he told me that the young mother had not had enough money to pay her bill. She wasn’t short much money, and she’d been dealing with a screaming baby, and maybe she was just a bit frustrated. And if I had been “present” I might have been able to help her. Instead, I was scurrying around being efficient. The memory of that moment still haunts me.
Tonight I wanted to bring a pie to someone who needed a lift… and I had someone in mind, but I was unable to connect with them. So, as I have done before, I put the pie in the car with me and drove to the store (Shop n’ Kart) hoping to run into someone I could give a pie to. As I walked through the store I tried to be aware of who might need help. However, even though I searched, I did not find anyone and so I approached the register to pay for my groceries. Just then I felt a tap on my shoulder. There behind me was Adam, our new Associate Pastor.
About six months ago I gave Adam and his wife Sarah a pie when they came to First Presbyterian. Since he knew about my project, I asked him if he knew of anyone who might appreciate a pie. He considered a few possible recipients and then mentioned a neighbor of his, a single parent, that was going through a challenging time. Perfect! I asked him if he would please deliver the pie to his neighbor with my good wishes and he agreed. Tonight he sent me an email saying that the parent looked so tired when they answered the door but was thrilled to receive the pie… and the children thought it was delicious. Adam finished his email this way, ” …glad I ran into you, I think it was the perfect family to be the recipient of one of your pies.” I think so too. Thank you Adam for your help in finding the perfect home for my pie.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pie a Day Give Away 
Thanks for being there for people! A wonderful choice!
Donna,
I thought so too… and love that it worked out… just as it always does. Thank you so much for following along and sending good words to me! It has meant a lot.
Karen,
Is today the day? April 5, 2012? 365 days of pies? The Year of the Pie? Congratulations. My goodness your pies certainly looked SOOOOO good.
Smiles,
Michelle Guerrie
Thank you Michelle… Yes… 365… but you know, this is a leap year so there is likely one more pie in the works!
This story reminded me of a selfish time of me trying to be efficent. I still can’t believe that I told a friend that I could not go to Portland with her for a medical appointment. I said I had been gone so much that I had a lot of book work and things to catch up on. We were not close friends, we had never done anything one on one but often in the same crowd. Long time family friends. A few weeks later she was diaganoised with ALS. Exactly a year to the date of me saying no, I was attending her funeral. That did not feel good. She was still so young and I was not there for her. The thought ran through my mind “If her medical appointment is serious, surely her husband would be taking her.”. At that time I did not know what was going on.
My pies are not very good. Never learned to make a good attractive pie.
Dot
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
I’m sure your friend understood your situation… and you didn’t know.
On a brighter note, I would love to help you with making a pie. It takes a little practice to make a pretty pie, but even if it’s not perfect, a pie usually tastes good… and that a nice treat to have (and share!) while you are learning.
Let me know what your trouble is and I will be happy to try and help you with them.
Thanks for your comment.
Best wishes,
Karen
Hi Lorraine, I’ve done a lot of thinking about this pie. From the cmemonts, everyone loves the flavor of this pie. Clearly, it’s a little slippery and doesn’t hang together perfectly. First the pie in the USA Weekend photo is not our pie. With tight budgets these days, magazines and newspapers often use stock photos with their articles. If you look at the USA Weekend photo, ou’ll notice that there are no halved strawberries on top as with our pie. And I’ve started to think that the halved strawberries are, in fact, part of the problem. When brushed with the diluted glaze they make the pie look beautiful but they also make the pie a little top-heavy and difficult to slice. Since they’re brushed with light glaze rather than folded into a thick glaze, I think they start to give off moisture which results in a pie that doesn’t slice so well. I know when I fold the glazed sliced strawberries into the pie shell, they’re definitely firm enough to get a clean slice. I just think the weight and weeping of the halved strawberries is part of the problem. I don’t know about you all, but I’d prefer a pie that’s a little messy than one that’s the texture of jello. Although I’m not going to pull this pie from the site, I think I’m putting it to rest for now. Come next spring, I might take it on again as a project. For starters, I’d probably slice up all of those halved strawberries and fold them with the rest not as pretty, but I think you’ll get a clean cut. With all the extra strawberries getting folded in, you might need a little more glaze, but maybe not.