24-25 March 2012; Rural Virginia -- Red-Neck Country USA --
Grumpy flew in to Reagan National Airport, expecting to finally experience warm weather after his week-long sojourn in the Midwest with younger Sister Hazel. As expected, the oldest member of the Zimmerman clan living East of the Mississippi, with his Bride, met me and drove us to a notorious barbecue eatery known as "Famous Dave's" where we feasted on a "family style" meal served on an inverted garbage can lid set in the middle of the table. Now, you would have thought that this retired and recently un-retired senior citizen (I'm talking about my Son now, not myself!) could have afforded a place with more dignity for his old, socially-conservative and long-retired Father. But "No!", what you see is what you get.
Enough with the chiding of my eldest Heir; there is much more to tell and we must get on with the program, okay?
First Grumpy must give some description of Saturday evening's meal at Famous Dave's. Serving the meal of the group's choice on a garbage can lid, reminded Grumpy and Son of the great fish dish we all enjoyed at the "Crab Pot" on Seattle's waterfront many years ago. At the Crab Pot, the meal (of varied vegetables with one or more fish/clams/shrimp included) was dumped unceremoniously onto the butcher-paper covered table top; no eating utensils were provided -- this was a true "hands-on" dining experience not enjoyed since we were one or two years old!
At Famous Dave's there were six (or was it eight?) choices of barbecue sauces on the table, all labelled as concoctions unique to Dave's. They included "Devil's Spit", "Texas Pit", "Carolina Mustard", "Tangy & Sweet", and best of all (according to those present), "Wilbur's Revenge". Meats on the garbage can lid were chicken, beef steak and pork ribs, all grilled over a wood fire to appropriate doneness. #1 Son, anticipating a need in his future plans the very next day, bought a large bottle of Wilbur's Revenge.
The next day, being Sunday, #1 Son prepared a feast to end all feasts (as well as Grumpy's self-imposed diet!). There were baked beans, flavored with added brown sugar and a "secret" ingredient that only he and Grumpy (a witness) knew about -- at that time, anyway. And there were thick New York steaks cooked to rare perfection over a newly-acquired ("newly-acquired" because if this Heir can't find the thing he already owns, he just goes out and buys another!) table-top barbecue.
After this typical Redneck luncheon, the assemblage gathered at a convenient spot on the expansive front lawn for some traditional picture-taking. This session involved the "usual" Zimmerman pose -- one foot upon a log (or other "handy" object). As the long-time reader of this BLOG may recall, the last time Grumpy (that time with the Grand Mother) visited our descendants on the East Coast, there was
a bit of rebellion involving --
the Grand Mother, of all people! -- and indications that other members of the Zimmerwomen present might join her! The reader may remember that Grumpy had to take extraordinary measures at that time to squelch this upstart woman's forgetfulness of her marital fealty. As may be noted in the picture here, Grumpy's actions were apparently timely and successful. [The Heir-Apparent to the would-be rebellion is standing on the right in this picture, dutifully obeying the "rule" for the proper photographic pose for a true Zimmerwoman. Grumpy was proud of his Grandson for having schooled his Bride so well.]
This celebration, although Grumpy wrongly presumed it was in his honor, turned out to be the occasion of the birthday #1 Son's Bride (see photo). Grumpy did not venture to determine "which birthday" -- a rare feat of diplomatic forbearance on his part! Pieces of the cake, with ice cream flavor of choice added, was enjoyed by the whole crew.
During "free time" from eating and picture-taking, the two Grandsons who were present, and Grumpy, indulged in lots of fishing in the adjoining creek that flowed past the southern border of this 20-acre "spread". [Note: "
Fishing" was what we did; "
Catching" was something that we had hoped to do -- but it was not to be.]
To be continued.
The "Missionaries" soon found themselves in "hot water"! The "Native" [presumably cannibalistic] prodded and poked them down into the "boiling" water -- insuring their being evenly "cooked". Their futile efforts in trying to avoid their plight were without results.
Then, alas!! The one who dared photograph this unspeakable scene was himself a victim of the same fate!! [Apparently the "Native" acquired the camera belonging to this latest "victim".]
