Crazy Thinking?

I'm a Washington Redskins fan.

You know how we get. It doesn't matter if you even LIKE football, which I didn't, until recently when I've begun to appreciate its finer aspects...sort of like the French impressionists - who, in my opinion, lack clarity. A Redskins fan believes, even in the face of all evidence to the contrary, that this is the BEST team in the entire league and that any bad season is the result of bad weather, bad refs, and cheating opposition. Sometimes we will concede that we'd be better if we had fewer injured players. Oh, and in case you hadn't picked up on it, is said "we." That's right. Redskins fans believe they are part of the team.

It's crazy thinking...but it's who we are.

So last week when the 'Skins were facing the Evil Empire, otherwise known as the Dallas Cowboys, I watched them start the first quarter in a state that I can only describe as "clearly stoned."

So there I was, watching and thinking "I have to do SOMETHING. I have to PLAY my POSITION!" But what could I do? I was already rooting for them with ALL of my energy.

Then I got it.

I would bake a pie.


As soon as I began rolling out that pie dough (okay, unrolling the already rolled pie dough) the team, MY team, perked up. By the time the pie was in the oven Washington was playing the game. As the pie baked and filled my apartment with the smell of cherries the 'Skins played and played. Just about the time I took the pie out of the oven, fully baked, the 'Skins were taking a knee for the win.

This weekend I planned to bake a pie. But I wasn't sure. Was I crazy thinking? Really, it's just a pie. So I held tight. Through the first quarter I watched Philly run over the Redskins as if they weren't even on the field.

As they started the second quarter down so far I thought I was in hell I knew the truth...

I was going to have to bake another pie.

The question...is it only Cherry that works or can I make any kind of pie?

Out came the dough. Unrolled and patted into the pie plate. Out came the apple pie filling, poured into the pie shell. Then the butter, sugar, and flour for the crumb topping I favor. For a bit of interest I decided to add some brown sugar and cinnamon.

And just as I started all of this, the 'Skins woke up. It was if they knew I was baking a pie in their honor.

Once again they won, even though once again they were not favored for the win.

I'll leave Coach Zorn to continue working his magic with my team. Clearly he is doing good work.

But I have my job too. There will be pie at my house next weekend if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

:)