A Different Kind of October

I looked at the calendar today and had the same thought I seem to have every year: How is it October already? In a normal year, this is when my mind starts jumping ahead. Halloween is coming. Thanksgiving is closer than it looks. People will soon start asking what pies they should bring to dinner, and I’ll start wondering whether I’ve remembered everything that needs to happen before the holiday rush. This isn’t quite a normal year. Kauaʻi is still recovering from the hurricane. Some of our neighbors have gotten back to work and are finding their routines again. Others are dealing with repairs, replacing what they lost, or trying to catch up after days that didn’t go according to plan. Those things take time. They also take energy that other people may not see. I’ve been thinking about how often we ask someone, “Are things back to normal?” as if normal is a switch you turn on. Maybe things are better than they were last week but still difficult. Maybe you can do the usual errands again, but the evenings are full of calls and paperwork. Maybe you’re doing all right and the person next door could still use help. All of that can be true at once.

At The Right Slice, we’ve returned to the familiar rhythm of a pie shop. There’s dough to make, filling to prepare, ovens to watch, and a case to keep stocked. There’s always a dish that needs washing. If you’ve ever worked in a kitchen, you know the dishes have a remarkable ability to multiply when nobody is looking. That routine is comforting in its own way. We know what to do when someone comes in hungry after a long day. We can offer a pot pie so they don’t have to figure out dinner. We can box up a sweet slice for someone who wants to bring a treat home. Sometimes a customer has time to visit; sometimes they need to get in and out. We’re glad to see them either way. October also gives us some lighter things to talk about. Today is International Coffee Day, for instance, and I think it deserves a pie pairing. If you have a cup of Kauaʻi coffee in one hand, what pie do you want beside it? I can imagine chocolate coconut making a strong case. Macadamia nut belongs in the conversation. Someone is going to say mango lilikoi, and I’d like to hear why. I’m open to being persuaded.

Our seventeenth anniversary is coming up next week. There are local events on the calendar and plenty of chances to spend time together this month. We’ll talk about all of it. We’ll also keep thinking of the neighbors who need support after the storm. If October feels exciting to you, I hope you enjoy it. If it feels like you’re still catching your breath, I hope you get the time you need. Either way, there’s a place for you at The Right Slice, and we’ll be happy to see you.