Image credit: Photo by Christaface on Flickr Licensed under Creative Commons

A few days ago, my daughter Janie walked into the kitchen, which my frantic holiday baking had turned into an indoor winter wonderland, covered in soft mounds of flour and dustings of sparkling sugar.  "What are you making, Mama?" she asked.

"A pie for a potluck dinner with some friends," I answered.

"Mm," Janie said, "Is it a cherry pie?"

"No, it's apple."

"Is apple your favorite kind of pie, Mama?"

"No, actually my favorite is blueberry.  Although I really like cherry too.  I like both of those better than apple."

"Why didn't you make blueberry then?  Or cherry?"

"Actually, come to think of it, I've never made a blueberry or a cherry pie in my whole life."

"But you should make what you like!  Why haven't you ever made those other pies if you like them best?"

"Because I usually make pies for holidays and parties and a lot more people like apple.  Apple is Daddy's favorite kind of pie and Aunt Kim's.  And at Thanksgiving, apple is more traditional than blueberry.  It's what more people want to eat.  Also, I've made so many apple pies that I know I'm good at them, because I've practiced it a lot.  So, I know they'll taste good.  Hm.  So I guess I make apple because I know other people will like it.  But you're right, Janie.  I should try something new and make what I want to eat sometime!  I never even thought of it before."

"Mama?"

"Yes, Janie?"

"You're a weirdo."  And Janie giggles.

"Yep.  I think you're right about that," I say.  And I giggle too.