A sigh after pie

Another Pie Day has left the hosts, both donkey and human, exhausted but fulfilled.

Post Pie Day Ponders: Bake it, and they will come

I've loaded all the pics from Pie Day, so take some time this week to scroll through the last 4 or 5 posts below. Overall, it was all I wanted it to be - people of all ages, from all over, migrating to Apifera because I baked some pies and offered to share them, with donkey hugs on the side.

Post Pie Day Ponders: Coco's back!

If you've read the blog awhile, you will know all about little Coco, and that I once considered hiding her in the barn so that I could keep her for myself- but that would be very un- Apifera, and Pino would never agree to it either, so I anticipate her once or twice a year visits to the farm.
Coco is a bit like Grace Kelly - when you see her face, you can't help but sigh. She does not take a bad picture, so trying to pick just one picture of Coco is impossible, and I can't help give her an entire post. This should not offend other visitors, for all the little two legged creatures that come are adorable, but let's face it, Coco has that "je ne sais quoi' about her. And as there will come a time when she will frown at all the camera glare, we must relish in these Coco moments as much as possible.
The last time Coco came it was her 2nd birthday party, and her mother told her that after her visit to Apifera her main talking point was the one eyed pug. She was very concerned about his eye and what happened to it. So even though Billy was secluded in shady comfort of the house for Pie Day, I brought him out for Coco. While she squealed, Billy's curled tail wiggled.
When I was little, I have vivid memories of certain places when I was very little. One was the home of a painter friend of my fathers who had hammocks and a large garden. It felt magical. He had a black Scottie. Perhaps Coco will retain something in her memory of these Apifera visits.
See you soon, little Coco.

Post Pie Day Ponders: We meet Betty

One of the most wonderful visits came at the very end of the day, when most people had already begun leaving. A car drove up and an elderly woman was helped out by another woman. The elderly woman was using a walker. It turns out she had recently been released from the hospital after a bad fall, and was still in physical therapy. Her name was Betty and her caregiver daughter, Maureen, ventured out to see the donkeys. Betty explained to me that her husband had taken her on a trip many years ago where she saw donkeys in the dessert, and they were so wonderful, she wanted to meet ours.

We sat under the shade of the donkey tent, and communed for some time. Since most people had left, It was a nice relaxed visit, and we talked a lot about getting older and how hard it can be. Betty had lost her husband only nine months earlier, and a tear came to her eye. I told her about losing my dad, and then I got teary eyed. But it was all exactly what I want donkey pie days to be like- therapeutic and sharing of feelings, experiences, as well as the healing energy of animals and farm. Through the visit, Pino stood near by, listening and just being Pino.

Betty was a real apron lover, and a very hard time deciding which aprons to take, so we had to give her some help there- but she loved that the money went to senior creatures.

Because it was so hot out, and Betty had just come out of the hospital, she wore the only outfit she had that was light and breezy - her last wedding dress. She also told me that the watch she was wearing was her husband's, and after he died she had it made smaller so she could wear it.

The gracious way her daughter took care of her was really inspiring. I know that visit meant a lot to them, but I hope they know how much it meant to me, and the other people that were lucky enough to be sitting with us during the visit. I gave them some lavender as a gift, and they were on their way.

Post Pie Day Ponders: Bake them and they come

The visitors came from all over, like Carla Sonheim, an artist compadré who I'd never meant. Their son Wes was on his way to visit his grandmother out West and rather than just put him on a plane in Seattle, they drove to Portland so they could attend Pie Day, and they put him on a plane in Portland instead. Carla has a new book out about drawing, and I have a spread in it. I just saw my copy and it's really a fun drawing book, so check it out.

Then there was Stevie, who came with his mom from the Eugene area, and they drove the two hours to meet Pino and see my art. Stevie has an excellent future as either vet, farrier or perhaps barber, as he was an excellent donkey groomer. He decided that the donkeys were attracted to him, and I'm sure they were with his doting grooming skills. Farmer in training, Dalton, came and we re so enjoying watching him grow from visit to visit. As usual, Dalton wanted to ponder many things on the farm, like the semi hidden water feature under an old tree.

My good friend Emma came to be a helper, and even though she wasn't that pleased with her donkey toe paintings, they were still charming. Emma has been coming to help at our Pie Days since day one, and also helped us put on Hospice Appreciation Day, since she is a hospice worker. Thank you, sweet Emma, we love you!

Pie helpers from Kentucky and NYC came to camp out under the sky, and a full moon. They helped me bake pie - apple, chess, blueberry, peach, cherry and one special pecan for our Pre-Pie Day meal of Apifera lamb on the grill. They also provided enough wine to inebriate the entire farm, but no animals consumed alcohol, for the record. Although Muddy's tail, as usual, was in full swing, and we lost a glass.

So many people I didn't get pictures of who came from out of town- like Lisa Giddings and her young daughter Sophie, who also have pygmies, many from new Moon Goat Sanctuary where our three seniors are from. And Kathy Beck and her fun husband came form Seattle area. That was special, because Kathy is a cancer survivor, and also donated money for the Pino Port Potty, so we thrilled she came and communed with pie and Pino.

And then there was also a documentary filmer who turned up accidently on Saturday, who was making a movie about animal therapy. She was so nice, I had to stop and give her a tour and show her the donks and she did a bit of filming for her movie. We decided it was a good thing she came on Saturday, for on Sunday I would not have been able to give her much time.

Please don't feel slighted if I missed you- we enjoyed everyone's visits!

Post Pie Day Ponders: Young puppeteer from Iowa

One of the very special guests we had from afar was an artist compadré of mine, Emma, and her artist mother Angela. They came from Iowa, and planned their Portland family trip around Pie Day so Emma could meet me and Pino and see Apifera. Emma is a blossoming artist who paints abstracts, tells stories with puppets and uses her imagination in many creative endeavors. Last year she created a wonderful little apron for Pino's cause.

I was told by a Pino Pie Helper that Emma walked into the studio and immediately recognized the Pino Puppet up on a shelf. She also decided that Juliette the folk art donkey doll I made had to go home with her, and it was nice to see Juliette getting a tour of the farm with Emma.

Emma spent time in the barns and met the many animals. Of course, Pino welcomed her, and right before she left, Emma just had to have an apron too.

What a special day for Emma, but, perhaps even more special for me, to see her so happy amongst Apifera's creatures. Thank you, Angela, for arranging your trip so we could meet you.

Post Pie Day Ponders: Nomad attire

I opted to wear a skirt over loose pants....it felt nomadic, and since I am so rooted to the farm, it felt like an antithesis to that. If my mother had seen me in this outfit, I can guarantee she would have said, "What do you have on?"

Post Pie Day Ponders: And in the end

And in the end, everyone was exhausted, but in very good way. Thank you everyone, including the weather committee who made the skies so blue, pie helpers, culvert ditch fallers, apron makers, the Dirt Farmer for putting up with me in my Post Pie Day Exhaustion.

But most importantly, thank you, Apifera, for collaborating with me, protecting me from a cold world, and sheltering the many animals here. Pino, Lucia, and Paco, you were all perfect hosts and we pulled another one off.

Thanks to apron sales, we'll be sending some donations to New Moon Goat Sanctuary, El Refugio del Buritto [donkeys] and Old Dog Haven.

And you can still buy aprons online that didn't sell, and that money will go to senior animals too.

Pie Day Ponderings

Beautiful weather, perfect pie crust, pie plethora, children brushing donkeys, beautiful little girls with curls, boys with full cheeks, great grandmothers healing from broken hearts and aging bodies- it all happened with a 5 hour period at Apifera on Sunday.
I am in post pie day pondering mode, and will be posting pictures and thoughts all week. There were some pretty magical moments for me, some made me cry, but all gave me that invisible pat on my back that bringing pies, donkeys and aprons together brings people joy, and comfort. I want to give the many tender moments justice with proper posts. But here is a glimpse.

Pie Love: Pug and pie

With Pino Pie Day 2010 fast approaching [June 27th, to be exact] I made a pecan pie with Apifera walnuts, and I must say, it was perfect. The One Eyed Pug may be down to one eye, but as he likes to tell everyone, he can "still smell pie".


Pino also has a Facebook Page for this year's events, and it actively posts apron arrivals and pictures.

"How to meet a donkey" by Lucy Clementine

Stay tuned all week for more Post Pie Day Plethora of Pics...

Lucy Clementine came to pie day with her artist mom and super duper dad. She demonstrates so wonderfully a very good technique for making introductions to a donkey.

First step: Like any creature, it's best to wait for the right moment to say hello. Shyness can be overcome with acceptance and understanding.

Step two: A brief smile to show the donkey, "I am open to love."

Step three: Examine the new friend, showing him you care about what he is made of, and helping him scratch itches he can't reach.


Step 4: Share some of you best jokes, donkey love jokes.


Step five: Kiss the donkey.


You are now friends with your donkey!!!!

She smiled all day, and cried when she left

Stay tuned all week for more Post Pie Day Plethora of Pics...

This little gem was pretty darn adorable. She lived in a nearby town and came with her mom, and grandparents. As you can see, her angelic ways were only enhanced when she was around donkey love. She also found the perfect handmade apron just for her, and when I told her to check out the cool round pockets, she did, and yet another smile was released.



What is so fun to watch is how these children [and adults] slowly watch and inspect the donkeys, and the donkeys them. The donkeys are so calm, and allow alot of commotion with becoming overcome by it [within reason, of course]. All the children were well behaved, but I do believe that not only is that from the good parenting they have, but also, I feel the calmness of the animals transfers on them.

When she had to leave, tears ensued. Now these were not tantrum tears, they were genuine disappointment tears of having to leave her new friends. I ensured her that Pino and gang would be expecting her next summer for Pie Day, and this was met with a soft smile.

I know how hard it is to leave the donkeys to go to the house, so leaving them for an entire year would make me cry too. It was just a pleasure to have her here on Pie Day.

I considered keeping her for myself...

More Post Pie Day Picture Plethora....

Introducing, Collette, aka Coco. She speaks in English babble, head and hand gestures, smiles, and a dash of french. We were so happy to meet Mlle. Coco, the first born of a Kailla, friend and colleague of Martyn's [who also made this wonderful apron for Pie Day].

Another neat story - Kailla brought her father, her step mom, and her sister. Martyn and I actually stayed in her father's wonderful Bend home for a weekend after we were first married, so it was fun to meet him. And her step mom knocked me off my feet when she said, "And I am one of your father's biggest fans." I had no idea, but she knew my father from the Craft Gallery in Portland where my father volunteered before he became ill. She said nice things about him, we chatted about him for a time. I thought that was really cool, that it was father's day and all, and out of the blue, this giant message appeared from the universe, via a living soul...

Now, back to Coco. Unbeknownst to Kai, I contemplated taking little Coco and putting her in a stall, or the chicken coop, out of site. Then I could just keep her a little while. But, I remembered taking a neighbor's bike when I was five, and hiding it, and even though I had the bike, I couldn't take it anywhere....so, I stopped myself. Besides, Kailla is meant to be Coco's teacher in this world, it's quite clear.

Oh, and then there was Henry

Stay tuned all week for more Post Pie Day Plethora of Pics...

Lucy Clementine also brought her little brother Henry. Henry prefered the stand still and watch approach. Or take the upper view on Dad's lap.