April 27 ‘A Blonde Muse’

Today is the birthday of a dear friend-Shawn. When Jesus said on the Mount, “You are the salt of the earth,” he could have been talking of disciples, believers…or Shawn. She represents the best of friendship and support. Shawn gives so much, that she constantly has to refill her internal supply of salt. It is an addiction known to all that are close to her. So for her, I have several books on display in the library.

“Salt: the Fifth Element” by Garnett Laidlaw Eskew, 1948. The author states “This mineral is like unto the four elements-earth, air, fire, and water. So universal, so necessary to life, it is the fifth element.” The book gives a general world history of salt, and then details growth in America, including the rise of Joy Morton, and his beginnings of the salt business in 1878. He died before he could answer to the extent of salt intake Shawn has.

“Gilroy 2018 Great Garlic Festival Cook-off, including 40 years of winning recipes”, 2018. Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World, is in California. The book was given to me from my cousin who lives in San Jose, about 30 miles from Gilroy. We bought some GREAT garlic hot sauce in Gilroy. The 1982 Gilroy champion was Rosina Wilson who cooked ‘Artichoke Alla Rosina.’ I am sure that she did not use the quantity of garlic that Shawn puts into her artichoke dip. While delicious, it must be noted that there has not been a vampire sighting within three miles of Shawn’s kitchen.

“So you want to be an Airline Stewardess” by Keith Saunders-first edition 1967. Shawn followed her dream to work with United Airlines, and “Fly the Friendly Skies.” Because of her fabulous generosity, and work perks, I have been able to visit places around the world. One such place was Japan, where Shawn’s husband, my sister, and I dined at Ninnikuya, a garlic restaurant in Tokyo. Wow. It was breath taking…for days.

Not only was Shawn generous with flying perks, she has given me several thoughtful books.

The first book that she gave me, was “Kokigami, the Intimate Art of the Little Paper Costume” from 1990. Shawn knew I had a small risque collection of books, and found this Origami delight.

The latest (and very interesting) book she gave me is “1,000 Places to See Before You Die, a traveler’s Life List” by Patricia Schultz, 2003. She put in a hand-written note ‘to read and start planning our next trip’ to me. We did plan that next trip. Last year, our group spent two weeks exploring Rome, Barcelona, and cruise ports in between.

Of any person that I am happily envious of, it is Shawn. I look forward to seeing pictures and stories of her “work” journeys, literally around the world. Her excitement to explore is evident in those photographs, and I am thrilled when I have those few opportunities to join her, and friends in further adventures. Happy Birthday!