Nancy

For months now, Joyce has told me all the stories of her many friends. Last night I met Nancy.

Joyce and Jim used to vacation at and around Linn Creek at the Lake of the Ozarks for years. During one of their stays they happened upon a barbecue place near Osage Beach. When they had completed their meal, a big guy came out of the back and asked how they liked their meal. "Great," they said, "Are you the owner?" The man introduced himself as Larry and said that he was indeed the owner. They indicated they would be back for more on their next trip out.

The following year they went back, but could not find the place. As dedicated to good food and good company as Joyce was, she found a pay phone and looked up Larry's number. She asked if this was the guy with the barbecue place and he replied that he was, and that he had moved.

Jim and Joyce would visit Larry's place every year on their vacations, occasionally bringing friends for the great food. One year when they stopped by, the place was closed. Joyce had noticed a house trailer behind Larry's place and went to the door to see if they knew anything about it and why it was closed. A woman answered the door and when Joyce explained who they were and that they were from Ohio, the woman opened wide the door and said, "Oh, I know about you, come on in. Larry is in the other room."

It turns out that Larry had been in the hospital and was recuperating. The woman at the door was Nancy, Larry's live-in mate. Joyce became good friends with Nancy, visiting her on every vacation after that. 

Larry has since passed away and Nancy now lives near her parent's campground in Linn Creek. Yesterday Nancy and her 14 year old grandson took us to a barbecue place in Osage Beach. Of the four different BBQ sauces, she pointed out one that was closest to the one that Larry made. Pretty good stuff.