“No more rehearsing and nursing a part, We know every part by heart!”
On Saturday the preparation was done, the supplies were bought, the beer was made, it was time to put food on the table!
The cooks, Dan, Jeff, Royce, and I gathered at 10 am on Saturday (see our todo list here) to start cooking.
The morning prep went very smoothly and by 12:30 we looked at each other and said, “I don’t know what else we can do.” So we gathered for a lunch of leftover shrimp bisque, which was even better for having been in the refrigerator for a day.
At 4:30 pm we gathered again to finish the meal. Debbie prepared the lovely tables (womenfolk were not allowed in the kitchen.)
We worked so harmoniously as a team by that at by 6 pm we looked around and saw nothing to do before the reading group arrived at 6:30 but to have a drink. Which we did.
We then plated up the salads.
Royce and Jeff were out on the porch with a gallon of boiling oil preparing appetizers while Dan and I got the salads out.
… and from there the camera got put down and we ate! The menu is here. The background picture on the menu is my great-grandfather and my dad, circa 1936. We’re all named Charles.
… and we read. Our theme for this reading was ancestors. People brought tales handed down from their ancestors, books written by their ancestors, recipes cooked by their ancestors, and pictures and tales of their ancestors. What we had planned as a light-hearted moment after eating turned into a surprisingly intimate time.
The story I read is here. My Mom related this tale to me when I told her we were doing a “beer dinner.” I’m not sure she was thrilled that I was sharing it to the group, and may be even less pleased that I’ve posted it for the world. This is not to me a tale of “hurt and shame,” but a tale of doing the best you can, and of doing it maybe even when you know your best isn’t good enough. You can read it and make your own decision, as for me, I am proud to be named Charles Farris Zumbrun.
Leave a Reply