After the political
turmoil of the last week, I have been turning to activities that require my
full attention. I have been tuning out from all media, even my beloved NPR, and
focusing to clear my head and calm my heart. To be honest, my admissions work
is in high gear as well so I actually do need to get things accomplished as
well as deadlines loom, but the work has been a welcome respite.
With Thanksgiving almost
upon us, I have turned to planning a menu, trying to keep it simple yet full of
family favorites. I will also try to use as much of the produce that arrives in
our CSA share at the end of the week. I find such a focus on the harvest is
true to the intent of the holiday. Thoughts of gratitude this time of year,
always bring me back to Grandma's Pie Crust Mix and the baking of pies.
Pies are certainly a
part of our nation's culinary heritage and none more so than pumpkin pie. I
will bake one next week to be eaten with real whipped cream and think of all
the pie bakers that have come ahead of me, my daughters' long-term legacy:
those who came as immigrants, who scraped up from poverty and hunger, who knew
war had no victors, who experience the Great Depression as well as World War,
who worked when work was not only physically hard but dangerous, who broke
barriers and endured, who only looked beyond self to community and understood
our social contract to one another began with selflessness, humility, and
respect,
I will set my moral
compass to this legacy and feel deep gratitude for my innumerable blessings.
And, I will contemplate these questions over pie and a large cup of strong
coffee with hot milk and a bit of sugar: Do you see your success as, at least
in part, a community endeavor? And, in some small way, the failings of your
community as also your own?
Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Build legacy that will make generations proud. Thanks, Grandma!
