start again: today ... now
because waiting won't get easier and there is never a better or right time
I’m starting again. Not just pie making, but also that. Something bigger.
I have been stuck. Really really sticky stuck. I’ve been so focused on looking for clues that point me to what’s next (maybe probably trying to get away from the pain of what was), that I have forgotten how to just sit still and be here, now.
Sitting in now is hard. Looking in a mirror is weird. Who is this person and how did we get here? Looking at what is, believing the stories your mind replays and puts its own mean-girls spin on, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for now. It tells you exactly how we got here, and how we don’t like it here with all of its imperfection and lack of whatever it is we keep reaching for.
Momentum. Old habits are hard to quit because momentum. The longer something has been happening, the more momentum it has. Standing in front of the Mack truck of your brain and yelling STOP! can feel like life or death. And it is, both life and death.
I’m starting again. I’m bringing you with me. You’re kind. And gentle. You’ve cheered me on, and shown me grace. When my mean-girl mind pipes up—and she always does—she will be questioned and thanked and kindly asked to sit down and be quiet. She’s had her turn. I am going to believe, like Ted Lasso and that damn sign.
If you are stuck or struggling with something, and you’re looking for a way out, hit me up. I’ve got a few ideas to get us both moving.
Ratchet and I have made a decision. It’s time.
We are dusting off the shelves and starting the Pie & Mighty train up again. Choo choo toot toot, y’all. As of this month, we’ve found a home to bake in and a few places to sell from. Soon enough I’ll put a virtual shingle back up (yes, the website is STILL DOWN - why does it feel so hard to do?) and we’ll be on our way.
So, what will the next thing look like? It will be more like the old church basement days. It was warm, chatty, slow, and “authentic” (meaning we were making shit up and having fun doing it). We still don’t have a plan to solve the demand issue. When we started, we just started. Beginner’s mind for pie and joy. That’s what we’re going back to. It feels like that is where the magic lives. We don’t have much, but we know we love you ouu ouu, and that may be all we need to know.
A few notes from the bunker I’ve been in. I’d apologize for not writing, but damn if I am just sick and tired of apologizing for stuff that just isn’t worth feeling bad about. If you are here, I trust that you are kind and gracious and understand that feeling. Sometimes a little is actually enough. Thanks for letting the frequency of this be enough.
Today I will finish moving into a new kitchen and I am SO STUPIDLY EXCITED about it. Is it perfect? No. Is it my old place (which was absolutely not perfect but it was mine)? Also no. But it is a kitchen, and I’ll be around other makers, and that seems pretty cool.
The little dream place I told you about while back is probably coming back on the market. If you have a dream of owning a pie shop in a perfect location with a pretty great pie maker, please reach out. Kthanksbye.
Pie & Mighty is poppin’ up, again with the Tandem Vintage team! They’re celebrating an anniversary and we love a party. We’ll be there from noon until 2 pm and have some whole ‘lil pies on the docket. Hoosier Mama, yep. Peach crumble, prolly. We will get some visibility on the social media on this one, but you’re hearing it here FIRST.
"We still don’t have a plan to solve the demand issue"
The Amazon's et al. of Global capitalism have really fed the unrealistic expectations around products, their availability and distribution. A global economy is not it, and I see you as one small someone who is fighting against that concept and attempting to steer us back toward a hyperlocal economy, which just happens to be what we need if we are going to survive *gestures wildly* this.
I've been in this since nearly the beginning and have happily taken part because of the above, and also because I am fully willing to accept the joy of one your pies on whatever schedule the universe dictates. Maybe that's living in the now, idk.
All of this to say: love your pie, love what you are trying to be in the world, love Pie & Mighty. Y'all are perfectly imperfect.
YOU, have always been a light to so many…even when you didn’t see it or feel it yourself.💜 You gave my mom and I joyful “ pie dates” every Thursday afternoon ( oh how she loved your peach pie) during what turned out to be her last 3 months of life; we are forever grateful for that and will always be cheering you on, with whatever you pursue. You got this!!!💜💜💜