YESTERDAY Yes! It could have been yesterday, but he ran like there was no tomorrow. Despite the effort, she was fast & and very close to catching him as he turned his head to look back and make a quick U-turn around the tall palm tree, one of the many that lined the edge of Fireman’s Park. Playful teasing mixed with innocent flirtation between young cousins oftentimes evolves into a heady chase scene. This time was no different. Oh yeah, and the chase was on, both kids laughing and screaming hysterically. “Gotcha!” and he was pulled to the ground. Trying to catch their breath, both giggling hard, their lungs heaving with air, she rubbed the wild buttercup flowers into his freckled cheeks, leaving telltale yellow pollen streaks just below his eyes. Adrenaline fired and out of breath, he pushed away, both jumping to their feet. Well— that was that.
That was FOUR O’CLOCK on a Sunday afternoon. Eighty miles west of the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, ten miles from the Mexican border. July 4th weekend & every relative within a hundred miles showed up at Fireman’s Park, just off Highway 83. Part park and part staging ground for firefighter practice drills. There was Uncle Frank & Aunt Bernice, Aunt Ernestine & her brood of 12, yes twelve. Arnold & Betty, Don & Marlene & so many more, mostly kids of all ages. The smoky scent of barbecue filling the air. Picnic tables full of varied pot luck dishes. Longneck beer and cups of white wine. Timmy rightfully nursed a Lone Star beer. Heck, he’d come early to slow cook ribs & chicken in his smoke pit made from a 50 gallon oil drum. He threw on chorizo sausages for good measure & had help from his brothers & sisters on the other grills. Hamburgers sizzling as hot dogs plumped, blistered & cracked open. Betty brought her cole slaw, Cynthia made some mean baked beans that she had doctored up with brown sugar, mustard, ketchup & lemon juice. Real nice. Aunt Mary, renowned among friends & family for her German potato salad, also held title to Sunday organist at church. And today ranked as a holy event for this clam, for many had not seen each other in a long time and it would be a good while before another reunion might be planned. This 4th of July, not just any day, but one where family & friends gather to celebrate freedom & independence & so much more.
FOOD FIREWORKS are here! Pies, corn, watermelon, avocados for sure. You know the score, but don’t miss the Kiss melons, Sugar Kiss & Summer Kiss, both. Skylar Ray cherries will explode with flavor along with all the stone fruit: Peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines— are abundant. Tomatoes, red, ripe & delicious go with local basil or local lettuce greens. Steaks, hamburger, hotdogs… Heck! Don’t get me going. You know what’s here and it’s good to be back. Thanks again for being there. It’s great to see you again, to say hello and to simply celebrate each other. Gonna get out the sparklers!