How Far Would You Drive For Pie?
Another journey begins. I will make a 1,700-mile drive from Los Angeles to Des Moines, Iowa — all because of pie. To eat pie. Lots and lots of pie. Homemade pie. Competitive pies at the Iowa State Fair. When you think about the reality of this it makes you wonder, doesn’t it, just how much […]
My 16-Year-Old Niece Learns to Make Pie(s)
In case you were thinking that in preparation for my upcoming mega-pie-eating stint at the Iowa State Fair I’m cutting back on my pie consumption, think again! I left Portland for LA exactly one week ago and in the past week I’ve made — and eaten — three pies. Pie was a priority this weekend […]
Featured in the Des Moines Register
If you read my last post about being a trapeze artist afraid to let go of the swing, then you will be happy to know I have managed to pry my fingers loose from the bar. I moved out of my Portland apartment on Saturday, stashed my returned deposit check in my wallet, and hit […]
The Trapeze Artist
I had my last appointment with my grief counselor, Susan, a few days ago. No, I did not get a diploma or any certificate to prove I had successfully completed some set course of therapy. I wish it were that easy! Unfortunately, the grieving process will most definitely continue. But I did get a parting […]
The “Romantische Strasse” Awaits
I was going to write about how surprisingly difficult, emotionally, this move out of Portland has been. I was going to explain how for someone who is a free-spirited gypsy like me, who moves on average every 8 months, this time it feels harder than usual to uproot myself from my nest. I was going […]
11 Months After Marcus: Life in Full Bloom?
You’ve seen it in fall, winter, and spring. Here is the tree in summer, the tall maple on Floral Street that has come to symbolize my cycle of grief. The cycle that started 11 months ago today, the day Marcus died.But does this new crop of robust green leaves truly represent my life? Do I […]
Peach Pie in Park City
A weekend spent at the house of friends inevitably means there will be pie. This time it’s Park City, Utah, with my very good friends John and Laura, and their two kids. Johnnie turns six next month and Athena is nine months old today. Johnnie wanted to make pie, so we did. I would write […]
Team Switzerland Takes the RV
Phase One of my move out of Portland has begun. The RV (aka: The Beast) is on its way to Southern California. But I’m not driving it this time. No. Behind the wheel you will find my lifelong friend from Switzerland, Eve Kamer.In the front passenger seat is Eve’s friend and co-worker, the smiling and […]
Some Like It Hot
The past two days in Portland have been 100 degrees. I hear other people complaining about the weather, but I don’t have any problem with it. I spent the entire last summer in Terlingua, Texas, surprisingly content in the face of 110-plus degree temperatures every single day for three months. In fact, if the weather […]
Apple Pie on the 4th of July
Forget fireworks, sparklers, BBQs or even S’mores. This Fourth of July was all about pie! More accurately, it was about escaping the city to spare Team Terrier the terror of all those celebratory explosions. After attending a small, impromptu barbeque on July 3, and seeing my dogs cower with fear as the neighbor kids set […]