*These thoughts go out to a special friend right now (first written on August 1, 2021).

Some people are just so bold and strong. I’m thinking of a particular person who many of us know and love. She is like no other.

It starts with love, humor, and a generous giving, sharing and caretaking personality.

“Her mind just works that way,” her husband once told me, trying to defend her energetic uniqueness, which needed no defense.

Last summer, as I sipped a peach sangria, (made by Jess, my daughter-in-law, from Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc), I was reminded of my introduction to Cupcake Vineyards.

“I found this in a gas station along I-35, on our way back from Kansas City, and thought of you, so here are 2 bottles.”

She dashed in and out of Cupcake Island, (our bakeshop at the time) and said she was on her way to get her teenage son to the ER for stitches. She also had parked far away because our 3 parking spots were in use, and the Bridge studio next door was in session, filling up the parking lot. She had to run!

As she flew out the door, our manager asked me, “Who was that woman?”

“Wonder Woman,” I replied, Ha ha, and we laughed.

Another time, I was helping to host a behind the scenes tour at the Henry Doorly Zoo. As we waited outside, gathering our group, I counted and realized we were one short of the planned attendance. Just then, this figure flashed across the parking lot, literally changing clothes as she ran, from a dress to more casual gear. A hilarious memory!

Now I’m thinking of the time she delivered her collection of hardcover Nancy Drew books to my grandaughter’s house. When a younger sibling answered the door, and saw her petite size, he asked her, “Did you come over to play?”

The Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show, its biggest fundraiser, occurs every September in Omaha. I usually go to browse the fabulous displays from around the country. Some years, I’m a guest at one of the chairperson’s 3 tables that she reserves for Friday’s luncheon lecture, which is always a treat.

One particular year, I wanted to reserve my own table of 8 and invite friends. My invitees, busy with jobs and obligations, all said they would be there. It worked out pretty well, although I barely made it in time myself for the 11:30 start, from the cupcake shop.

The LAST person to arrive was my friend, who raced over from a local news station segment, where she was doing entertaining recipes and food learning sessions, as a Registered Dietician. She had quips like “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad.”

She admitted that antiques were not really her thing, (neither is food actually, with only DQ Dilly Bars and vodka in her freezer), but she wanted to support the show (and me) by making the effort to attend, and be there.

When her mother-in-law was dying, she became very close to her, even crawling into bed with her “because people don’t like to be close to dying people”. Her mother-in-law, who was large and sturdy, said, “Oh, you’re so tiny.” My friend replied, “I know. I’m fun sized.”

Ha ha! Her stories make us laugh until we cry.

Thanks for the memories, A.C.S., and on to many more!

Live Large!

Shirley