Today We Eat Pie

Once upon a time, a little boy asked his mother to bake pumpkin pie, rather than cake, for his birthday. She accommodated his unusual request and did so for as long she she was responsible for his birthday dessert. The boy grew to be a man as unique as his birthday request, if not more so. His name was Dan West.

About 5 decades or so after that initial request for birthday pie, our family began celebrating Dan's birthday with him and thus revived the tradition. I am sad to say, this year we're eating Dan's pie without him-he died last summer.

Some of you detectives might be saying Dan West, eh? Westwood Color, huh? No friends, it's not a coincidence. A portion of our property we have because of Dan and since acquisition of the parcel in 2020 we've referred to it as The West Wood. It happens to be our western most parcel of the group complete with sunset-rich skyscapes. It is this view of The West Wood I see the most when I dye fabric, or tend the flower beds, or take product photos. One day last autumn, when my hobby was first transforming into a business, I just knew the company's name was Westwood Color. It's not the first thing I named after Dan, but I think that's a story for my second-born to tell.

Dan West was a loyal friend, a skilled mentor, and a heck of a good person. We sure wish he could come over for a slice of pie.

Happy Birthday Dan.