Kindnesses, myriad and without end

“Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,/ only kindness that ties your shoes/ and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,/ only kindness that raises its head/ from the crowd of the world to say/ It is I you have been looking for,/ and then goes with you everywhere/ like a shadow or a friend.”

Nurse Naomi Shihab-Nye’s words are ever with me and something about this present illness has turned her words to a bathwater, a warm soak for my worries, helpful to reframe what it is we are here lucky to live for. Kindness. Each person a half-open door to a room for everyone, says Tomas Transtromer.

What a blessing to be at the Association of CL Psychiatry in San Diego with esteemed colleagues who are truly family. I am dizzied by affirmations showering at me from all directions, despite the clouds of aching bone pains and nausea and fear and fatigue.

To meet heroic women leaders like Dr. Patrice Harris, noble and elegant president of the American Medical Association and advocating for mental health.

To mentors like Dr. Michael Bostwick whose counsel and friendship arrive annually in lattes and laughs and holiday cards.

To ninety-something fabulous grandad marshals who travel over oceans to march their beloved grand-daughters in second lines and down the aisle.

To sisterhood and marriage and love ever-latticing us all.

​​​​​​​To gifted home-made pies from Cerise Joiner and to be nourished both physically and spiritually by food which is and always shall be medicine.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Also to Cerise and husband Wardell’s laying on of hands and oil-anointing and resonant, inspiring, enduring prayers for me. I consider these also ingredients in my healing bathwaters.

Cerise’s Apple Pie

PIE CRUST (Pate Brisee)

2 Cups sifted flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

Mix together then add

1/3 C cold Lard (or shortening) (lard makes a better crust, per Cerise)

1/3 C cold butter 

6- 8 Tbsp ice cold water.

Mix all together until it’s a broken lumpy slightly sticky mixture (pate brisee). Refrigerate at least 30 min before rolling out.

PIE FILLING 

6-7 tart apples (Cerise uses Granny’s)

1 Cup Brown Sugar 

1 tsp Vanilla 

1 tsp cinnamon  

1/4 tsp allspice 

1/4 tsp nutmeg  

1/8 ground cloves  

2-3 Tbsp Cornstarch or flour  

Mix together.  Fill pie . Crimp top of crust to bottom crust. Bake 350 for 1 hour, let cool and Enjoy with someone you love!! 

To delight in babies, precious Clark who loves her Lil Mixins (gifted!) egg powder as she explores new foods, and we hope never develops allergies due to intentional early taste-testing.

To going home to Louisiana tonight. Rooting on LSU football in the fantastic season they are having.

Lauren Nathanson, the only Golden Girl in my life, is thrilled to celebrate these fabulous festive LSU fan kitchen accessories from the College Kitchen Collection,  (also gifted).

And to Karl-Peter. The anchor to my kite. The thread is strong, my love. Unbreakable.