Let there be no mistake, the catalyst orchestrating the extended family gathering has no relationship to good ole granddad. For that matter, Gram can't take credit either. It boils down to this: "It is the last week of hunting season.
"How could we expect anything different? Craig's kids have been helping their dad load bullets since they were old enough to talk. Fortunately, they have memorized and implemented gun safety practices and have the understanding that whatever they kill, they eat.
Frankly, I prefer to do my grocery shopping at H.E.B. Fortunately, the only deer I ever killed was with a car, and I was not the at-fault party. I was driving in the inside lane on a weekend afternoon on Hwy 290, back it a day when you could actually travel the posted speed limit. With the accuracy and surprise of a surface-to-air missile, the deer came from out of nowhere and hit the driver's side of the car.
Year after year, Jake has chosen the menu for his birthday meal. For several years he opted for Asian food. Most people would identify it as Chinese food, but either way it looks the same. I actually was looking forward to that again this year.
In addition to Jake being a foot taller, he has reached the phase where he never passes a mirror without stopping to flex his muscles. He always smiles approvingly at the view of himself.
Trust me on this; I am not making it up.Of course, his older brother William modeled that behavior for years. It must be in the DNA, both boys remind me of their dad. Maybe it has some relationship to playing football in school.
I missed the phase all together. Of course, I never had muscles to flex, so it stands to reason a mirror would hold no fascination for me. I actually think a barbed-wire tattoo around you upper arm looks good on some people. I don't have one because I don't want to call attention to nothing.
This year Jake wanted grilled steak. He wanted the kind I routinely grilled or did before we moved into temporary housing in a gated community where the next house is ten feet away. The distance is too close for comfort when you are using a cast aluminum charcoal grill.
I've had my grill for at least 49 years and I'm not likely to change. The cast aluminum grill cooks hot. A perfect steak for my liking takes five minutes on both sides. The outside is seared, and the inside is a uniform color of pink. Maybe it could be called the Mary Kay Cosmetics signature kind of pink.
Uncle Kevin, who is a seasoned professional when it comes to cooking inside or outside, did the honors this year. I seasoned the steak and requested 5 minutes on both sides, and left it in his capable hands. The outcome was not disappointing. Actually, from my perspective, the steak was grilled perfectly, and the birthday boy would agree.
All My Best!
Don