Based on the forecast for yesterday, it would have been a pretty safe bet to call off the barbecue; a fifty percent chance of thunderstorms is usually sufficient cause for postponement of outdoor activities. Whether by faith or favor, we decided to move forward with our plans anyway.

After Randa took the pork loins out of the brine marinade and dried them off, she mixed up and applied the dry rub. I began my part of the experiment by pouring out some cheap charcoal into the grill and dousing the briquettes with lighter fluid. Judging by appearance only, I was a bit skeptical but I stacked them into a pyramid and flicked my Bic. While smoke sifted about the grill, I swept the concrete apron in front of the garage. The birch trees make that sort of a regular job throughout the month of May.

After dumping the apron sweepings into the compost heap, I checked the charcoal. It was covered with white. So, I spread the briquettes out, adding some fresh Kingsford hickory charcoal for added smoke and flavor and put the grill plates back in place. Then I brought out the loins and set them on the top rack, closed the hood and started putting up the edge strips for adding soffit panels to the garden shed addition we’d built last year.

An hour later, I added some more fresh charcoal. Another hour later, the loins were done and the company was come. Randa’s brother and his wife, Kevin and Cheryl, brought their splendid contributions to the project. Randa’s son, Jaylon, and his girlfriend, Leah, showed up a little later with Jay’s cousin, Landry. They brought more food. Randa finished up the homemade yeast rolls and I finished grilling the corn and the veggies.

Except for the corn, everything was delicious. (Next time I notice that the cob has turned a dark color, I’ll leave that package of ears in the store.) We finished up with chocolate coconut pie then headed out for some croquet. In a legendary surge, Landry went all the way from the first wicket to the last wicket on a single turn and won the first game. Everyone felt so sorry for the old man sobbing in center court they let me win the next one.

Afterwards, we sat in the shade of the oak tree, enjoying the breeze and talking. When everyone likes each other and they all pitch in one way or another with the fixings, it sure helps out on the work and pleasure of a family get together. Good food and good friends usually make for a good time and one of these days we’re going to have a mighty fine spread with the Best Friend we ever had.

H. Arnett
5/27/14