Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

I made two of these today... and I still have to make another tomorrow. It was quite tasty, if I must say so myself - but plenty of others said so as well. I wish the innards wouldn't have gushed out all over the crust, and the oven bottom. Oh well.

When I got home from my 10 miler this morning, my neighbor was in my back yard pulling weeds. Well, bless her heart, she asked me if I would mind if she did this. I have neglected my weeding this summer because I have devoted all of my energy into running. So, I did tell her I would be very happy if she would weed. But when I got home today and saw her in my yard, I thought I would die, because I knew it meant I had to join her. What else could I do? So I changed out of my good running shoes and went out and pulled weeds and chopped down trees for 2 hours. And I was very grateful for a neighbor who would do something this kind. I told her that in the lottery for neighbors, I hit the jackpot. Later, I took her a pie - with her first initial carved into the top. It was cute.

And now I am hurting worse than I have been in a very long time. I am hopeful that a good night's sleep will take care of that.

I went to night watch tonight - our group answers the phone for Central Office for 6 hours once a month. We get together at a member's house and have a potluck dinner. Hence the pie. It was a lovely evening, at the lovely home of a lovely member. It is nice to have deep connections with my AA community. Sometimes they seem tenuous and unreliable, but there is something about getting together outside of the meeting that restores my faith in the people, the relationships, and the fellowship. Tonight I got to sit with some of my old friends which is wonderful. But equally wonderful was to sit and watch the younger members with their young families. To know that there is the hope that their children will have happy, sane lives due to their parent(s) being sober. It is unbelievable what a difference one person's sobriety makes in a family. (I know because I was one of those kids once, then I was one of those mothers, now I am the mother of one of those mothers.)

Life in AA is very good. What a miracle to be sober, to live sober lives. To get together as sane people, and laugh. No harsh words, no fighting, no back-stabbing, not much drama (there is always some).

God has been so very good to us alcoholics. And I will be forever grateful.