Saying Goodbye

25 Jul

A few days ago I was reminded of Peggy, a woman I’d baked a quiche for last year.  I’ve not seen Peggy  since I delivered that quiche but  she lives near my friend Wanda and when I  bumped into Wanda at a meeting, I asked if she could tell me how Peggy was doing.  Wanda hesitated a moment and then she said, “She’s not doing very well.”

That conversation haunted me for a while.  Finally, yesterday I just “knew” that I should make another quiche for Peggy.  It was simple to do…I just sauteed some spinach and onions and then added some roasted peppers.  While that cooled I prepared a crust and arranged the vegetables, cheese and custard mixture inside and popped the quiche into the oven.  Once that was done, I called Wanda to confirm Peggy’s address and tell her of my plan.

When I told her that I wanted to bring a quiche to Peggy, Wanda said, “Honey, I don’t think she can eat that quiche.  She hasn’t had much of an appetite these last few days.”  Upon hearing this, I thought maybe my instincts were all wrong… but then I asked, “Is there someone with Peggy who might appreciate a quiche?”  And Wanda told me that Peggy’s daughter was there with her and she thought bringing her a quiche was a wonderful idea.

A little while later, I tapped on the door but no one answered.  Wanda had suggested that I just leave the quiche inside the front door and so I found a spot to leave it and walked back to my car.  But I couldn’t leave without explaining why I’d come and so I found a piece of paper and wrote about the only time I’d met Peggy and how pleased she’d been with the quiche, how honored I was to meet her, and how I wanted to visit her one more time.

As I opened the door to leave my note, I met Peggy’s daughter, Trisha, who didn’t seem bothered at all by my intrusion.  I briefly told her the reason for my visit, and then offered Trisha the quiche, which she gratefully accepted.  Then Trisha shared that she’d been with her Mom everyday for the past five weeks knowing full well that her time with her was coming to an end.  And as difficult as it was to do, it was clear that there was no place else that she would rather be.

A short while later, I was getting ready to leave and Trisha asked me if I worked outside of the home.  I told her that I catered sometimes but recently my kids have both left home and I was thinking of asking God (and anyone who was listening) for help finding a new job.  Then Trisha surprised me when she said, “Maybe you’re doing it right now.” As I walked to the car I thought, perhaps Trisha is right… maybe I am.

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, their hearts forever.” Author Unknown

Life, gratitude, and pie

14 Jul

Life feels so strange right now.  Just last Sunday my husband and I drove our daughter, Alexandra, to the airport so that she could get on a plane that would take her to Denmark.  Alexandra has flown to Denmark many times before, but this time was different in one big way: she did not have a return ticket.  She has gone to Denmark to work for e-conomic, an online accounting company.  She was an intern with this company for one year and will be working with their clients in the United Kingdom.

I know this is a pretty awesome gig for a new graduate and I am very proud of what Alexandra has accomplished.  I guess I just wish that Europe was a bit closer.  It’s hard to find yourself with an empty nest and realize that your little birds are hundreds… or thousands of miles away.  That’s a long way for a mama bird to fly to give a hug… or cook a meal.  And a part of me is finding that a little bit of a challenge.

On a brighter note, a week or so ago I was honored to be interviewed by Nadine Natour from National Public Radio.  It seems that NPR had decided to do a week-long segment about pies… and I was lucky enough to share a part of my pie journey.  It was really surreal to be included in their story… and even more fun to have friends across the country tell me that they heard me on their radio.  What a thrill!

Another bright spot in the last few weeks was having a chance to meet with representatives from Guanajuato, Mexico during their visit to Ashland for the 4th of July celebration.  As you may recall from one of my previous posts, the Ashland Rotary Club has worked to raise money to help the poor people of Guanajuato and when we visited that city in May, I saw Francesca, a young girl that we met five years before. It was a very happy moment for me because it was clear that our work had made a difference in her life.

Enrique, one of the Guanajuato representatives, told me that he would see Francesca and if I wanted to send her a card or letter, he would deliver it for me. And so the night before he left Ashland, I brought Enrique a small gift for Francesca – and yesterday I received an email from him with a couple of photos.  Clearly Francesca was delighted to be remembered!

What has all this to do with pies?  Well, not much I guess.  But since I was overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude I was definitely in a pie baking mood.  Yesterday, while I was baking a Strawberry Rhubarb pie, my friend Maylee sent me a message that she had play tickets and asked if I wanted them.  Of course I did!  And suddenly I knew that a warm Strawberry Rhubarb pie was going to go home with Maylee.  It was my way to thank her for her friendship and thoughtfulness.

And today… I made another pie.  This one was for Marian, a 93-year-old lady from church who was the only person who seemed upset that I had not brought her a pie during my “year of pies.”  I’ve thought about that for a while and felt that it  was about time to correct that situation.  Think about it… if it was within your power to make someone happy, with such a simple gesture,  wouldn’t you want to do so?

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.  ~John E. Southard

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. — Thornton Wilder

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For Dee: A Very Special Teacher

2 Jul

About two weeks ago my husband, Emile, and I attended the SOREDI 25th Anniversary Annual Dinner.  At the dinner, some people were recognized for helping SOREDI get its start, while others were honored for creating businesses that have prospered in southern Oregon.

Emile is the General Manager of the Medford Coop and since 2012 was declared the International Year of Cooperatives by the United Nations,  one of the groups that was honored that night were the representatives of the cooperatives in the Rogue Valley.  Those four coops are: The Ashland Food Coop, The Medford Food Coop, The Grange Coop, and the Rogue Federal Credit Union.

All of the coop representatives sat at one table and it was quite a nice group.  I sat next to Barry Robino,  the CEO of the Grange Coop.  It seems that Emile had told Barry about my pie adventure and he asked me about it.  When I told him that most of my children’s teachers had received pies, Barry mentioned that his wife, Dee, was a kindergarten teacher.  And then he told me a story.

First some background:  Every year, Barry’s wife, Dee, creates a book for each and every one of her students.  This book is for the children to keep and it is all about them.  That is an amazing feat when you consider that Dee has two kindergarten classes and upwards of 42 students to do this for!

Now for the story: It happened that one night, one of Dee’s students was getting ready for bed and while most of the time his Mom was the one who read to him, on this particular night, his Dad was the one reading to him. The young boy had selected the book Dee had created and his Dad began to read it to him.  At one point in the book the Dad noticed that his son was crying and he stopped reading and asked him what was wrong.  The son replied, “Oh it’s okay Dad.  I always cry at this part of the story.”

I thought, “What a wonderful thing Dee has done!  She created a book that really touched this child… what a gift.  He will treasure that book and remember it forever.”  And since I have been thinking about that story for the last few weeks, I finally realized that I needed to make a pie for Dee… to thank her for her love and commitment to her students and for going the extra mile to make their kindergarten experience so special.  I only wish that all children could have such a wonderful start to their educational career.

raspberry Rhubarb Pie

Teaching is leaving a vestige of one self in the development of another.  And surely the student is a bank where you can deposit your most precious treasures.  ~Eugene P. Bertin

 

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What a wonderful life!

26 Jun

What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been!  Much of the focus was on our daughter, Alexandra, as she completed her studies and prepared to graduate from Southern Oregon University.  There was a fair amount of stress to be sure, but everything worked out perfectly in the end.  We were both so proud to see Alexandra walk across the same stage to receive her diploma that her Dad and I carried her across 22 years before.  What a wonderful experience we have shared!  A friend remarked about Alexandra this weekend, “She is such a person.”  I would have to agree.

Another element of fun during this time period was the fact that my son, Coco, returned home for a visit to see his sister graduate.  What that meant for our family is that we were all four at home and doing things together that have become a part of our family tradition.  We cooked lots of wonderful food and hosted a graduation party so friends and family would have a chance to congratulate Alexandra.  We told stories, shared jokes, and reveled in the fact that we were all together.  And we listened to John Prine on vinyl and sang the words to songs that we have come to know by heart:

Blow up your TV, Throw away your paper,

Go to the country, Build you a home.

Plant a little garden, Eat a lot of peaches,

Try and find Jesus on your own

(from Spanish Pipedream)

And just to throw a little excitement into the mix, I received a phone call a few days before Alex’s graduation from a woman named Jinnee.  Her wedding had been planned for the week after Alex’s graduation and her caterer had backed out at the last minute.  She told me a friend had recommended that she call me and then she asked if I could I cater her wedding.  Wow.  I had to tell her, “Of course… but we can’t talk until next week because my daughter is graduating this Saturday.”  And so Jinnee agreed to my catering her wedding without meeting me until 5 days before the actual event!

When Jinnee and I did meet, we agreed on a menu and a budget, and then called or emailed over the next few days with questions about all the many details that arose.  Friday morning, I thought of all that she was going through and realized that she was having me prepare her wedding buffet and she had yet to taste anything that I had ever cooked.  And so I decided to bake Jinnee and her fiance a Kick Ass Apple Pie.  I thought she deserved one for all that she was going through… and it might give her some comfort once she had a bite.

That afternoon I called Jinnee to ask how things were going and if I might stop by for a minute.  I could sense concern and I finally blurted out, “Jinnee, I made you a pie.  Can I bring it by tonight?” Jinnee was thrilled… and I felt that I had offered her a moment to enjoy the wedding that she was planning.

The next afternoon, Jinnee and Peter were married… and as soon as they exchanged their vows, the heavens opened up and the rains came down.  There was a mad scramble for cover… and the outdoor wedding that had been planned soon became a warm and cozy indoor gathering of dear friends and family.  And I was blessed to be a part of it all.

Tonight I want to offer thanks for such a wonderfully busy time… and all the things that I hold dear: family, friends – old and new, and all of the little miracles that grace our lives.

“Three things are needed for a good life: good friends, good food, and good song.”  Jason Zebehazy

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Touch of Grey

14 Jun

These last few weeks have been eventful… and emotional.   Why does that not sound surprising?

This period of time began two Sunday’s ago when we were witness to the passing of one of our cats.  Grey, was a very timid cat who somehow appeared on our back porch one day. My guess is that she heard through the grapevine that the lady at this house put out “wet” food each morning and evening and so she came round to check it out for herself.   But something must have happened early on in that cat’s life,  for while she desperately wanted to eat, she did not want to be petted.  In fact, I think I fed Grey on my porch for two years before she ventured close enough for me to touch her.  For much of her life, Grey kept mostly to herself.

The one exception was that she spent a lot of time on my neighbor, Bernie’s, back porch sunning herself and enjoying the treats that he offered her.  She went there so often that there is a path in the grass from my house to his.  Sometimes Grey would be at Bernie’s in the morning and when I brought out her breakfast she would just stare at me from across the distance as if to say, “Thanks but I’m too comfortable to move right now.  I’ll see what you’ve got there in a little while.”

Last Sunday when I called to her, she just lay sleeping on Bernie’s old couch. I thought nothing of it, set her food down outside, and went for my usual walk with my daughter, Alex.  There was a message from Bernie on the phone when we returned.  Never one to mince words, Bernie’s message said “I think we’ve got a dead cat here.”

Fortunately, Bernie’s statement was premature;  Grey had not yet died.   I didn’t know what was wrong, but she was unable to move a muscle, and she couldn’t even open her eyes.   When I reached a friend who is a vet, he said that we should make her as comfortable as possible.  And so we did.  We gently stroked her back, moistened her mouth, and kept her covered against the chill of the day.   We probably spent more time petting her that day than we were able to do in the last ten years.   And at day’s end, she took her last breath, arched her body a bit, and died.

It was a sad way to begin the week, but we were glad to have been there for Grey… and also to have had the chance to be close to her.  As the week progressed I found I was on “Team Alex.”  What that means is that my life’s purpose for the remainder of the week was to help my daughter finish her Capstone for Southern Oregon University.

Okay, I really didn’t do anything to help her with her Capstone… but I did feed her, walk her dog, mop her brow, etc.   On the day her final paper was to be turned in, I remained at the ready – and for me, that meant I kept myself busy in the kitchen.  I cleaned, I organized, I baked.  At the time her paper was to be at the printer’s, I called to ask for a grace period.  And the young man gave me us an extra 30 minutes.  When I shared that news with Alex, she said, “Mom, we need to make them some brownies.”  Unbeknownst to Alex, I already had made a quiche for one of her teachers… Curt.  He has been a big help to her this last term and his name had been on the pie list for weeks.

As I look back, I can say that the week ended happier than it began.  That Friday evening, Alex handed in her completed Capstone, Curt received his well-deserved quiche, and the folks at Printfast received a plate of brownies still warm from the oven.

 

All in all, it was just a week in our life.  And a wonderful life at that.

Tonight I am sending warm wishes to everyone in the Universe,

From,

A very proud Mom

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A Miracle in Guanajuato

28 May

Francesca

First a story: A young girl was walking along the beach early one morning. The tide was receding, leaving numerous starfish stranded on the beach. The girl began picking them up and tossing them back into the water.

Engrossed in her task, she didn’t notice the crusty old fisherman sitting quietly watching her. He startled her with a gruff, “What are you doing?” to which she smiled and enthusiastically replied, “I’m saving the starfish.”

He laughed at her and launched into a scoffing ridicule. “Look ahead of you down the beach,” he said, pointing to the seemingly endless expanse of sand and surf. “There are thousands of starfish washed up on this beach. You can’t hope to save them all. You’re just wasting your time. What you’re doing doesn’t matter,” he exclaimed in a dismissive tone.

The girl stopped, momentarily pondering his words. Then she picked up a starfish and threw it far into the water. She stood straight and looked him in the eye. “It matters to that one,” she said, and continued down the beach.

Why do I tell you this story?  Well, this past week,  several members from the Ashland Rotary Club flew to Guanajuato, Mexico and I was incredibly fortunate to be a part of that group.  With the help of our very generous community,  and working with “Mi Casa Diferente”, aka “DIF”, (Mexico’s version of Habitat for Humanity), the Ashland Rotary Club has raised many thousands of dollars to build homes for some of the neediest people of Guanajuato.  And while these homes are very simple structures, the people who get them are thrilled to have them and are deeply grateful.

Back in the spring of 2007, during my first visit to Guanajuato with Rotary, we spent a day with a family in one of the communities that had recently built their home.  One of the children in that family was a young girl named “Francesca.”  She was about eight years old and easily charmed every member of our group with her insatiable curiosity, her lovely smile,  and her delight in showing us her new home.  When I spoke with Francesca and told her that I had a son named Francesco she seemed to think that this “coincidence” was funny and smiled.   She asked about my “other” children and I showed her the photo I’d brought of my daughter, Alexandra.  I think that Francesca must have thought it strange for me to have had only two children.

After a few hours, the house was painted, we’d all been fed fresh tortillas in gratitude, and our time with Francesca and her family came to an end.  It was very hard to think of leaving and never seeing this delightful, precocious child again  for she represented what we were there for: to make a difference in someone’s life.

As we drove away, the DIF representative said that it would be nearly impossible to keep in touch with, or send anything to,  Francesca and her family. After all, they lived in a remote area where there  was no mail service, and the DIF workers had too much to do and could not guarantee anything that we sent would reach them.

Until last Monday I had all but given up on ever seeing Francesca again.  On that day, our group of Rotarians was taken on a ride deep into the hills outside Guanajuato to paint a small schoolhouse.  As we unloaded all of our painting supplies we greeted the women and children of the community who had come to help us (most of the men were off at work making charcoal).

As I looked around, I noticed a girl peeking at me from behind the far wall of the schoolhouse.  Each time I looked over at her, she ducked back behind the building.  I thought she might have been afraid of our group and so I  waved and said “hello.”  When she looked out again, I noticed that she looked like Francesca and mentioned this to our group’s leader, Angelica.  She looked at me and said, “No mija, you want it to be Francesca, but it can’t possibly be her.”  Sadly I agreed that she was probably right and I went inside to begin painting the walls of the schoolhouse.

About fifteen minutes later, I heard Angelica screaming my name, “Karen, Karen… it is Francesca!”  I raced out of the building to where Angelica was standing with Francesca.  They were both smiling at me and my heart almost burst with joy.  I asked Francesca if I could hug her and told her how I had thought it was her but had been convinced that this was too much to hope for. I exclaimed, “Este es un milagro” (This is a miracle!) as tears streamed down my face.

As we talked she asked about my daughter, and of course, my son, Francesco.  Then she took me a few hundred yards down a steep path to see her mother and her family home – the same one we had painted five years before!  She even showed me a pillow we’d brought as a gift way back then… a remembrance of the people who had come to help.  And to think I’d thought that this day would never happen… but it seemed that Francesca was not at all surprised.  It was as if she’d been expecting this moment all along.   Talk about faith!

As we parted ways this time, I told Francesca that this would not be the last time she would see my face and I know that she believed me.  She simply waved goodbye and turned to walk back home with her sister.  I am certain that Francesca will go on expecting miracles, and it is just as certain that I will do all I can to make sure that they come true.

The very next day, I made an Apple Pie for our home hosts, Oscar and Marta.  It was a small gesture to thank them for offering the comfort of their home during our stay… and also a chance to offer my sincerest thanks to the universe for rediscovering a very special starfish.

“The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world, there will not be, another child like him.”  Pablo Casals

“There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  Albert Einstein

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Happy Mother’s Day

13 May

Today I celebrated my 23rd Mother’s Day as a mother… and my 23rd Mother’s Day without mine.  It still makes me sad that we never celebrated a Mother’s Day together as mothers.   That’s not to say that she didn’t do her best to instill in me the best of herself while she was here and while I have missed my Mom more than I can say, in so many ways, I feel my Mother’s presence all the time.

If I have been thoughtful, generous, or kind in my life, I would give my Mother the credit for showing me the way.   She molded me into the person I have become: A woman who would do almost anything for her children, her friends or strangers in need; a woman with a conscience, who does the right thing because it’s the right thing to do; a woman who gave away a pie every day for a year because she was grateful to have been so loved and so blessed in her own life. Each day, I live my life with as much grace and love as I can muster, because to do so honors my Mother.

Recently, my friend Ann Marie told me about a woman named Helen who has been like a Mother to her for more than twenty years.  Helen Smith was born in Peru, Nebraska and grew up in her family home that also served as a boarding house.  Since Peru is a college town there is some speculation that there were some pretty smart boarders in the house and that perhaps they inspired Helen’s lifelong love of learning.  In her later years, Helen became known as Grandma Helen, and spent many hours volunteering in the classroom of one of her other “adopted” daughters.

A week or so ago, Helen celebrated her 100th birthday.  This event was commemorated with a bench that was placed in Lithia Park in her honor.   This was a lovely tribute but I have a feeling that Helen is honored many times each day.  Every time one of the students she helped succeeds,  or reaches out to help someone else, or inspires someone to learn, Helen is honored.  And I think that is the very best tribute of all.

This morning I baked a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (the first of the year!) for Helen.  I want to thank her for sharing her heart with so many.

And lastly, this, from Erma Bombeck:

When God Created Mothers

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of “overtime” when the angel appeared and said. “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And God said, “Have you read the specs on this order?” She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts…all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands.”

The angel shook her head slowly and said. “Six pairs of hands…. no way.”

It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” God remarked, “it’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel. God nodded.

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ‘What are you kids doing in there?’ when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

God,” said the angel touching his sleeve gently, “Get some rest tomorrow….”

I can’t,” said God, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick…can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger…and can get a nine-year old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

But tough!” said God excitedly. “You can imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

Can it think?”

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.

There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model.”

It’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

What’s it for?”

It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

You are a genius, ” said the angel.

Somberly, God said, “I didn’t put it there.”
Erma Bombeck

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Just Because

7 May

A few days ago my daughter mentioned that one of her professors had seen a recipe for Chocolate Tofu Pudding on her blog (SheisRed.com) and he told her that if she ever needed someone to bring some chocolate pudding to, he was available.  Well, it’s been a while since I’ve made a Chocolate Cream Pie, and so today I thought it would be nice to surprise her professor with one… just because.

My year of pies was about gratitude; acknowledging the people in my life who have made a difference.  Many of the people that I gave pies to were dear friends… and the gift of a pie was a way of thanking them for their friendship.

But sometimes it’s nice to give a gift for no reason at all.  It catches people by surprise and hopefully leaves them with an urge to do something nice for someone else.  This good deed could be like the first domino in a chain of dominoes, once set in motion, it can’t be stopped.  How fun would it be to begin a chain of wonderful, caring moments… and to think, it could all begin with something as simple as a pie.

A friend sent me a gift of a magnet the other day with a quote that I fits this project perfectly… see what you think.

Go into the world and do well.  But more importantly, go into the world and do good.  Minor Myers Jr.

A Visit to Lithia Springs Rotary

1 May

A while ago I promised that I would continue to at least make a pie a week… and I am sad to say that that has not happened.  Honestly, I don’t know how I made a pie a day for a year.  When I thought about making a crust for just one pie this last week, it seemed overwhelming!  I guess making a batch of dough that would make crusts for eight pies was easier than going through the motions for just one pie.

However, what I have done over the past few weeks is shared food.  I brought lasagna and freshly baked bread to a woman who I recently met who is going through a very difficult time.  I also brought cheesecake and hors d’oeuvre to church for an impromptu coffee hour.  And later on a walk through town, I gave a sandwich to a stranger near the entrance to the park (and this does not take into consideration all of the catering I have been doing!)  So while I was not busy making pies, I was still invested in bringing comfort and love to others through food.

If it isn’t obvious already, let me say that I feel that creating pleasing food is a gift that I have been blessed with… and I believe that we all have been blessed with gifts such as this.  Some people have a gift for working with children and bringing out the best in them.  Others of us are talented artists; still others of us have dedicated our lives to science and the healing arts.  Each of our gifts are valuable and important in the grand scheme of things.  And I believe that if we are able to share our gifts with others, we will have achieved our lives true purpose.

This morning I spoke to the Lithia Springs Rotary Club about my pie project.  I didn’t know how this talk would be received… for to me it seemed like old news.  I’d make a pie a day for a year… so what?   I was surprised to find that some of the folks in the club had not yet heard of my project while many others were inspired by it.  It was really an enlightening experience.  Perhaps I’d been so consumed by my own journey that I just assumed that everyone else was as well?

I forgot to mention that I made a pie for the meeting this morning.   Many years ago I was the caterer for this Rotary club and  since I would be speaking about pies this morning, it seemed only natural to bring along a spinach and mushroom quiche.  It was the first real pie that I have made in a few weeks… and I really enjoyed the zen of it all.   I think it’s safe to say that I will be making pies for a long time to come…  or at least until I can find people to share them with.

 

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
Dalai Lama

 

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Wow… somehow I did it!

18 Apr

Eleven days ago, on April 7, I delivered my last pie for the year.  For those of you who have been following along, you know that that pie went to my neighbors, Armo and Deb – for their support and encouragement in this pie-making year.

The very next day I prepared five quiches and an assortment of sweet breads for an Easter Brunch for a local church.  Sunday morning I delivered the brunch items and then attended the Easter service at First Presbyterian with Vibeke, my daughter’s host mother from Denmark.

After a quick lunch, we took off to the coast for a few days.  The weather was tolerable, but the beach was magnificent as always. We walked and picked up pretty stones and then retired to the house that we’d rented.  And after a lovely dinner, I went to bed.  And slept for 12 hours!  And I did that again the second night that we were there!

One could surmise that this year of pie baking took a little bit of a toll.  That was clear when we returned home and after dinner I sat down with my husband and my daughter and watched “The Colbert Report.”  My husband turned to me and said, “It’s nice to have you back.”  What he meant was that for the last year after dinner what I did was sit down at the computer and write a post.  And sometimes it took a lot longer than I thought…  Translated: I was not “here”at home at night for the last year… because I was writing.

So tonight I want to thank my husband and my son and my daughter for their patience with me.   I spent a year of my life giving pies (and my time) to other people and they took it all in stride.   And for that I am so very grateful.

My year of pies is finished… but I cannot stop myself from wanting to continue along with this project… with modifications.   So while I cannot continue to give away a pie a day, I feel perfectly capable of giving away a pie a week, if only because it seems there is always a need to show love and gratitude.

Last Saturday I brought a Dutch Apple Pie to a friend who had just lost her mother.  A simple gift at a difficult time.  It won’t fix anything at all, but it will make a difference.  And that is the best we can hope for.

 

 

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