Thursday, March 17, 2011

On pies and other 'p' words

Today should have been a disaster, as experience would predict.
Sweet baby boy spent the night whimpering and heaving, as his insides tried to make their way to the outside. And while sleep evaded us, bodily fluids certainly did not. Gross, I know. Poor Judah didn't know what was happening, but I did. And I knew my 9 am test at work was going to be a bear on only a few hours of sleep.

I had planned to nap when I got home, but the viruses mocked me from the commode. They sang tunes of victory from the water faucets, and the thought of crawling into bed with them tonight was enough motivation to grab the bleach and go to war. Honestly, I am quite sure its too late, and the little devils are raising their flag of conquest somewhere in my GI tract. My boy, bless his heart, offered gentle kisses all day. And on the cheek wouldn't do. He wanted pucker action. How could I refuse?

The sunshine showed up on our doorstep like an old friend beckoning one to the front porch for lemonade and a hearty laugh. We, germ saturated and sleep deprived, answered her call, and she, in turn, honored our company by infusing energy as we soaked in her healing rays.

Though hours earlier on my commute to and from work, my heart cried out to the Lord - oh, how the city suffocates the life right out of me. Concrete blocks and parking lots for miles on end leak their gray right into my heart; "Lord, I need GREEN!" I begged. A conversation, a prayer, and an appropriate read, and something inside inhaled deeply of crisp, sweet life. I felt the blood returning and my heart dared to come alive in small ways. But ways that awaken in me a worship only I can offer.

You would not believe what an apron, an open window, and a rolling pin will do for this girl. Add in a few fresh cut wildflowers (though it is much too early for this), and you have just served me up a slice of heaven - complete with whipped cream (the real kind).

Its been too long since a pie - from pile of flour transformed to bubbling wonder - has beckoned from the oven, releasing aromas of home, delight, belonging.


So long, in fact, I've lost my favorite crust recipe. But I remembered the secret ingredient and located a substitute recipe that included it.

Raspberries and strawberries are plentiful in my fridge, so Razzlberry Crumble Pie it was.
I popped freshly rinsed berries in my mouth as I cooked. One for the pie, one for me. And as I bit into plump juicy flesh, I saw it:

I let out a scream any city girl would be proud of. Though I hale from the land of rolling hills whose acres of pasture saturate the air with the distinct aroma of fresh manure whenever it rains, I still don't like creepy crawly things. Never have. Never will. Not wanting to harm an innocent (albeit incriminatingly creepy) creature made my God, I attempted to transport the worm outside atop a butter knife. Belle informed me this was no worm at all, but a caterpillar. Whatever it was, it attempted to leap to its death right off the end of my knife and hit the floor next to my bare feet. Try as I may, I could not get that worm back on my knife to finish the deed. So I did what any responsible mother would do: I asked my four year old daughter to pick it up and take it outside. She's a good girl.

I have to admit at this point in the process I felt a little guilty to be placing such perfectly ripe, oozing-with-antioxidant super-berries into an oven - doused with sugar and heading to their death. But it was too late to turn back.

And out from the oven emerged a very validating afternoon's work. And a peace offering of sorts to my husband, who arrived home the night before to a very disappointing supper (apparently baked beets with Gorgonzola cheese activate his gag reflex...who knew!).
Now this post has been graphic, but this is life. So I might as well just say what I'm thinking. I sure hope this pie tastes as good coming up as it did going down, because I have a feeling Aron and I have a date with the commode come 2 am. I cautioned Aron at supper that perhaps we shouldn't eat too much this evening - knowing what is likely to come. I burst out laughing with his reply, "Oh man, I'd better chew really well. A nice pureed consistency. The chunks hurt coming up."
I can't believe I shared that with you. I may be deleting that later when I'm not so tired, and I reread it and wonder what in the world I was thinking. But for now, I still find it amusing enough to share.
As real as it gets,
ejk
*Post publication note:
My date with destiny did indeed come - at 1:27 am, and in the interest of full disclosure, I no longer find my little pie humor all that funny. Let's hope I get the kid friendly version of this bug, cause I hear the adult one is way worse. Blech.

6 comments:

Heather said...

Bless your hearts, sweet ones! I hope you feel better soon!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

OH ERICA!!!!!! I am soo sorry that you are sick. But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I laughed alot at your beautifully written post. (YOU ARE AMAZINGLY POETIC WITH WORDS) But this is NOT why I laughed!!!! I had to laugh OUT LOUD when I saw how God had answered your hearts cry for green. Don't know if you thought of it or not. But it JUMPED out at me as soon as I saw the picture of that cute little green worm on your beautiful berries...I thought oh dear Lord, you do so have a sense of humor! I am sorry that you are all sick though. And for the record the pie looked wonderful. And your post reminded me of that book that I want to get now, 1000 Gifts. I love you dear one. And sorry I found the worm so humorous. get better! Alyssa D

beckyjomama said...

I ADORE your sweet beautiful poetic heart. I am sooooo sorry that you are sick now - praying for you all. You are loved and cherished. Let's make a date soon to load babies in the car and head out in search of green - rolling, miles on end, as far as the eye can see, heart healing green. (although, truthfully, MY homeland comes in brown!!!)

Love you Friend!

Aron and Erica said...

pie was awesome going down - not so good coming out both ends... apk

grandma jackie said...

what a waste of good pie!All kidding aside so sorry you guys are sick.hope all are on the mend tonite.this bug brings back memories of xmas 2004 i believe it was........

Unknown said...

Oh no! Not sickness again?! Hopefully you are in or close to full recovery by the time I post this comment. The razzleberry crumble pie looked so delicious...I swear I could feel the breeze through an open kitchen window and smell the sweet baked pie in the air as I read your post. I'm getting hungry now just thinking about it! The beauty and wit that leaks from your gentle heart onto page is quite extraordinary...just as you are girl! (I can relate to your feelings of gray and craving green. I've been living here for 6 and a half years and still find myself amazed at the vast spread of strip malls and subdivisions on flatland for miles with pharmacies dotted on each corner. Have become a but desensitized to it now and if anything, it just makes me appreciate the moments and pieces of green that splash
into my life.) xoxo