We're lucky to live in a neighborhood where we know each other well enough to organize a party the morning of the day of the party. At 11 am today the wheels started turning with a few phone calls and the ladies had the party organized.
The challenge of these parties is that there is always too much food, and this one was no exception. It was decided the party would be at Robert's and Diane's since Diane had already invited her parents, Walter and Grace. When we arrived at a little after five, I found Walter at the grill and ready to be relieved. He was taking Robert's place, since Robert had been called back to the hospital. I guess we need these Doctors to take care of us even on memorial day.
Diane had given Walter a whole grill full of chicken to cook. Glenda, my wife, and Sara, Randy's wife had brought hot dogs and hamburgers respectively. There was so much chicken cooking that we decided to save the hamburgers and hot dogs for another day. I fully expect a note from my old friends at the Angus Association about not having some beef on Memorial Day. I did complain a little about this event having a slightly Continental bent with only chicken available but as usual the ladies did what they wanted to anyway.
We got the chicken cooked in spite of having to switch gas tanks. Robert did arrive back in time to change the tank.. We had Diane's traditional steamed shrimp for an appetizer. There was very good corn on the cob, Diane's most excellent salad, Glenda's very tasty Cole slaw, a delicious pasta salad from Sara, and enough chicken to put a smile on the face of Mr. Perdue. Randy, Robert, and I might have had a few beers along the way, and I believe a caught sight of a bottle or two of wine opened., in keeping with the Continental theme I'm sure. We finished the meal with some most excellent brownies whose origin I didn't catch. I would ask Glenda, but she's still resting her eyes :) . The brownies were accompanied by fresh NC strawberries dipped in chocolate.
Just as we were finishing, Matt, Robert's and Diane's son, who recently graduated from Lynchburg College, arrived back from a trip to NYC . So we got to see some graduation pictures. Even with all the challenges which we face today, being young with a college diploma and a bright future ahead of you is pretty special. It's one of the reasons we stop to remember on Memorial Day all those who died to keep our country safe so we can freely get together with our neighbors.
