April

[Micanopy]

So I worked a few days last week, and then was off to prepare for the big party.

The pig came wrapped in a heavy duty sealed plastic bag, inside a cardboard box. Frozen solid. He spent a few days in a walk-in cooler then I removed the box and laid the bagged pig inside a cooler and dumped ice to fill. Saturday morning he was perfectly thawed and ready to go. He did have some freezer burn on him which made him look kind of funny, and he was missing his eyelids for some reason. Nice teeth though. Got to love a pig with nice teeth.

We removed the pig from the cooler and dumped the ice and then he took a nice vinegar bath in the cooler. Then slathered with seasonings, he was placed into the China Box. This is a plywood sided affair with a metal top where charcoal briquettes get placed. China because it is upside down, heated from the top. Total cook time was about three hours.

Pig came out and looked great. He had “Cracklins” which is different than pork rinds in that they are denser, less air. Folks were nibbling but I insisted that pictures come first. We set pig atop of the handrail, the girls decorated with fruit, and I gave a speech, and then everyone lined up for pictures.



Besides some excellent pig meat, those gathered also dined on- fried crappie, fried shrimp, fried gator, Lil Smokies, meatballs in a cranberry BBQ sauce, teriyaki chicken legs ( frenched and smoked), pork loins slow smoked and sliced, potato salad, deviled eggs, salad, cheese platter, pickle/olive platter, fruit platter, chips and dips, Hostess Ho-Hos and Reeses candy bars. The birthday cake was an ice cream cake, which makes everything a little easier.

It was a BYOB situation and there was some of that.

I started working in the kitchen about 600 am and didn’t stop until I was all done around 200 pm. My wife-



provided plenty of entertainment for the crowd. She had decorated the house nicely and got everyone a lay to wear around their neck. The theme was- A Luau in the Swamp.

My boss stopped by with his wife, his son and girlfriend and they had a great time. On their way to their lake place for the holiday weekend, they stayed a few hours and partied with us. My Mom and brother and his wife also came, as did a friend and her sister and my best buddy and his son, and an old surf fishing friend. My buddy and his son took care of the hog so I could focus on the other things.

I like a party to start and end at decent hours, so we set it from noon till five. Usually people don’t get staggering drunk during those hours so no need for embarrassing moments and sleep overs. We did have two stay overnight but that was because of travel distance. I hit the bed to relax, not nap mind you ( seriously I am not old )but just close my eyes and relax a little after about 600 pm. Felt good to wind down after a hectic day.

I got some gifts. A fish scaler made by a friend that recently passed. Couple of bottles of fancy whiskey. A flat of onions from the garden. Some old pictures from when I was 18 years old. A card and a chocolate rabbit. My wife gave me a $500 Lowes gift card so I could get me that new grill. It is a Komado Joe made from metal, with a ceramic bottom. I have used my Akorn grill, all metal, for the past ten years or so. Used it yesterday as it still works good. Trick is to keep them underneath a roof. They will assemble the new one of course.

We played California Beach music and Hawaiian stuff in the background. Games and lots of laughter. We tried to ask everyone to wear a Hawaiian type of shirt and most did. I had on a bright one and donned my chartreuse yellow tennis shoes. Everything went perfectly and the food all turned out very nicely. The weather was fabulous and we all had a great time and that is always nice.

I built the deck for our wedding reception. It was during the height of the virus scare. Instead of dumping $8,000 to rent a barn for the day, I spent $3,500 and we got to keep the venue. It is 25’ x 25’ and shaded by a grand daddy live oak tree. Well almost grand daddy sized. The Sun shines on the deck from about 11 am until 100 pm. So it makes for a great venue for parties.

So now as I sit to write, I have a pair of girls asleep in the guest bedroom. It is our hope that they will clear out early this morning as we intend to take the boat out for a ride around the big lake. Light winds and lots of Sunshine. I might troll some. Plan to make some left over snacks and drink lots of water.

BTW- That cow is all aluminum, painted with automobile type paint. I don’t know why she wanted the stupid thing, but it usually stays out in the yard. Not sure what the boss’s wife thought about her decorating taste, but I love her to death.

Now I have to see if the dump is even open. Lots to toss in there.

Happy Easter to you all. Christ Has Risen.