Kim Shorts: Thankful for pie

Fall is the time of year that brings many changes, and when October rolls around, it also ushers in Thanksgiving.

I’m reminded by my partner, Jim, that during this month we should be thankful for so many things. To be lucky enough to have a roof over our heads, to live in an area we love, to have neighbours we can easily call our friends and to be able to call on them for help, if needed.

When Jim and I moved to Kincardine more than five years ago (after raising a family in Elmira), we knew it would challenge us to make new friends and to encourage old friends to make a trip to visit with us as we now go and see them in other parts of Ontario.

This new life was even more daunting because eight months after we moved here, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Hard to meet folks when you’re not allowed to get out and, well, meet folks.

But remember, this is Kincardine, where you’re a stranger only once!

Thankfully, through social media, FaceTime phone calls, and even chatting loudly across lawns and fences, we were able to build new relationships and fortify old ones.

During that time, we formed a Ladies Night group among the local gals in the neighbourhood (once we were allowed to start sitting outside together at six feet apart!). I am thankful that our group continues to grow as we welcomed friends and neighbours to join us this past summer.

Even my family got in the act during the pandemic and started regular family Zoom. We dialed in from across Canada – from British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Prince Edward Island – to catch up the best way we knew how, to talk and tell bad jokes, to interrupt each other, and to share cute and embarrassing pictures with everyone among all that on-line laughter. My sisters, brother, nieces and nephews and rambunctious young cousins all grew closer.

We are now down to those on-line family meetings once a year but we are talking to each other more than ever during the year. Gosh, I am thankful we have these so memorable memories along with the slide shows that will be with us forever.

I am thankful to live in a town with beautiful beaches and sunsets, with friendly people and yes, way too many pizza shops!

Oh, and let’s not forget the pies in this region (including the delicious peach pie, at right). Jim is the big pie-eater in our house, but I do enjoy a fresh sweet pie. Oh boy, there are a lot of options when it comes to finding pies in Bruce County!

We discovered there are a lot of bakeries in this region. From Sauble Beach to Paisley, in Kincardine and across to Lucknow, and even now in Ripley, to name just a few places that offer spectacular baked goods, including pies.

Then there are the local area farms with their home-baked goods and vegetable stands in the mix. All of these for which both Jim and I are grateful.

I don’t know if there’s brochure out there that takes you on a bakery run, but there should be!

I also grateful that Jim is the baker in our home, since every now and then, when the budget doesn’t permit buying a pie, he’ll bake one.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that wee bistro in Kincardine that bakes my favourite Portuguese custard tarts. I thank you, as did the Ladies’ Night group when they enjoyed the tarts at our gathering in August.

Remember to take the opportunity in October to be thankful, and if you can, share or donate food to our area food banks.

I hope that during the Thanksgiving weekend, you all have time to be with family and to indulge in a nice spread of food on the table, followed, of course, with some pie.