My Story

In 2005, my handsome husband, Kevin Collins, shared with me a story. At the time, he was working for our local school district as a certified ATC. For those of you who don’t know, that is the licensed name for an Athletic Trainer. He was smart and held a master’s degree. He could do anything. He loved his job, and he adored his athletes but he shared with me that all he wanted to do was retire when it was time and open a sports bar.

I was used to him saying outrageous things to me....... often, I thought it was just to see if he could shock me. And yes, sometimes he did! But he kept to the dream until he passed from a battle with prostate cancer at the age of 49, in February 2014. During his illness his dream changed. His perspective changed and he decided that he wanted most was to see his 50th birthday and grow old with me......he wanted to watch our first grandchild (Adley Hope) grow up ...sadly, he was unable to see these dreams come true since be passed just 4 months shy of his 50th birthday.  

Now I’m not wanting tears here, because Kevin was all about humor. Except for the days when he was in a foul mood, then the dogs and I would leave him be....... but he made up for those times by always making us laugh (yes, even the dogs).

In all our years, we didn’t have even one argument. We had a deal to always talk or walk away until we could, and it worked for us. He was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming and he never lost touch with his roots, no matter how “webbed” his feet became in Oregon. He loved both states and considered them his home. So, when he told me he wanted to own a sports bar and name it “Madame Opal's”, I wasn’t surprised.

I immediately envisioned a saloon type atmosphere. Kevin would talk about Madame Opal so often I felt as if she already existed. He said she would be a no-nonsense woman who smoked a bit (particularly cigars), chewed a bit, could cuss and spit, drink whiskey and hold her own. Did I say he never failed to make me laugh?? He was serious. That would be his sport bar someday...... I could and can still see the establishment with its wood swinging doors, old barn wood style plank floors, heavy wood tables scattered about, a big heavy bar to saddle up to with stools made from tractor seats (you know, to make every rump comfortable). Don’t forget the huge mirror behind the bar complete with bullet holes depicting a bar room brawl from days gone by. It would be old school with today’s version of a tap house so every customer could have their favorite brew. And good country food. The kind that “stuck to your ribs”! 

He had a great way of painting a picture so I could see it. And then he got the disease. Taking with him his dream. Never expecting to lose my husband at such a young age meant we weren’t prepared. No life insurance and a lot of medical bills. And I checked out for a while.......I didn’t know how to process this new life of mine with dreams and no foundation to build them on. So, Madame Opal sort of went away. (for a moment) 

One day on a trip to Wyoming to visit my in-Laws I was shocked and giddy to find an easel waiting for me in my room.  There in all her glory was a painting of Madame Opal. Now, no one had ever seen her. My artist father-in-law painted her, because remember, Kevin was great with his stories and my Father-in-law could also see her. I knew who she was immediately, and I laughed, and I cried, and I’ve proudly displayed her in my home since she was gifted to me.

Often times I would look at her and smile then go about my day, then other times I’d look at her and say “What???”, like I knew there was something I should be doing with this dream, but I did not have a clue. On a day in September 2018, I was sharing coffee with an old friend and she asked me about the painting and while I was telling her this story, It hit me straight on............I don’t have to open a sport bar to bring Madame O to life. I can bring her to life in another way and share her wonderful cranky caustic self with the world, or at least my hometown, in a way that would make Kevin laugh and say, “Way to go Kath!!”

And so, Madame Opal is born and she’s here to bring you a smile as she’s been doing for me. She is quick witted and has a bit of a potty mouth. In some ways, she may even be my alter ego, but she was born from a great man named Kevin Collins and his love of beer, me ( probably in that order), his furry gals, his daughter, Adley and son-in-law, his whole family, shootin’ guns, and his deep admiration for our military and our LEO’s....... and the love of a good laugh!!! Enjoy your journey with Madame O, we are happy to have you be a part of her story........... 

~Kevin and Kathy Collins 

Meet Madame Opal: