Thursday was a whirl. I was able to take the children, sans one (their youngest) to the heart of heart place for me in Fayetteville, Rick’s Bakery. When I knew Rick’s it was a non chalant little corner shop where amazing tastes came from, but no one noticed their decorating as spectacular, think flour, white boxes piled up, and alot of glass encased goodies. Arriving yesterday, the corner bakery was now in the back corner covering an L of the mall. It was like walking into fairy land. One room filled with real life sized wedding cakes. One room filled with coffee house type seating, one room filled with pies, cakes, rolls, and mini cakes ….yet another a gift shop of every girlie girl wonder you’ve ever known….then there was the viewing room, where you could see windows for 25 feet of every stage of baking. It was delightful to be there with four children from 7 to 15. Oooohhhh the delights and joys of seeing it all for me personally. Crowns for wedding cakes out of crystals starting at $60 and going to $300….and they were so regal…..the children had breakfast and enjoyed watching production while I zeroed in on fun things like sparkler candles for my father’s 75 birthday on Saturday…..what fun!
Back to my host and hostesses home where once again we gathered our generally spread out children’s wear and tried to get it all in the Civic….and the trunk did shut! Its always hard to leave this friend, for each time I know her, she has transformed into a different swan, for she is ever becoming all that she is…..yet familiar, and its wonderful to see their marriage and family in action.
Son2 driving us, we went further North to visit another friend’s home and had a delightful time with her in her own environment. Her father and she had designed and built the home she occupies and is near her aging parents. What wonderful space and colors. I so wish I had that “touch” where choosing wall colors is concerned. It definately defined her as I see her……regal….strong….yet her own self. Loved it! She has a love for quilts as I do and antiques so there was much oohing and aaahing there as well.
Daughter found a caterpillar and spent much of the time there adoring it on its stick and enjoying observation of it. It was as though the caterpillar was performing for a special audience in her company. My daughters and sons always amaze me with who they are and I do so like them!
The evening was spent at my first cousins, an attorney married to a pharmacist, their hospitality is unparalleled. Her mother a Louisiana wonder, would have been proud of this girl….for she is truly such an interesting lovely person. The best dinner I’ve tasted in months was awaiting me as well as delightful conversations with two of her best friends and his 90 plus year old resident mother, who is an original named “Goldie”…and lives up to the name! She is always a fun number the few times I’ve met her. One of the guests was the creator of the “smart card” and so interesting to speak to. Another a fascinating lady whom I could have listened to forever about her experiences in the business world. It was a good night as they left and I swam with the children in the indoor pool and we simply had time to be the three of us.
My father’s family is an original bunch. All branches came from the same tiny train stop, not even a town there, yet from those three brothers and one sister came six adults that have indeed challenged and conquered small parts of their surroundings and made a way for themselves. As stories were shared, our audience indeed realized that they came from a rare stock of intelligent, yet country saavy depression era parents who were determined to succeed in their lives and they very well did….such grit is in our genes…..my cousin is again made of that “right stuff” and I can only hope that when my life is done, my own life reveals that I indeed was able to tap into that as well. What a colorful experience this family of mine is, from boxing uncles to a physician father…to a grandmother who was the first female conductor in railroad times to a mother who went to law school WITH her sixteen year old son……amazing times….and love shared all around despite themselves.
I have been blessed this week….its more than I can take in….and yet the pain of growth that was and is required is measureable too……upon arrival home I will have much laundry and chores awaiting me and school starts this week for my son….but moreover I will have much thinking and taking in of all that I learned…….and work to catch up on. Today is my final day in Northwest Arkansas, tomorow I go to celebrate my father’s 75th birthday on Saturday and for the week it has been. I am thankful.
