I have been lucky when it comes to friends. I have been able to establish life long bonds with some of the most wonderful people you would ever want to meet. Calling myself blessed is an understatement.
In the last year, I have probably relied on those friends more that necessary, but each and every time I needed help, eager volunteers were always just a phone call away. I was always met with a simple "how can I help" without hesitation. No man could ask for more.
I have made a point my entire life to keep the fires of friendship stoked, and keeping those bonds warm, active, and alive has always been on of my chief goals. They say you can tell the quality of a man by the friends he chooses. I really hope that's true, for it places me among the very elite.
About 4 years ago, I started a tradition of inviting good friends over on Super Bowl Sunday to celebrate the day with food and fun. We start early in the morning, firing up the smoker, and seasoning 6 racks of the best pork baby back ribs on the planet. This year was no exception, and many of my friends and their families helped continue this tradition at my new house.
After seasoning the ribs and making a big pitcher of the best Bloody Mary's you ever tasted, we sit out by the smoker, and just enjoy each others company.
This year we started about 9:30 in the morning. Most years this would be done in the back yard, but inclement weather this year forced some changes. I brought everything around to the front of the house, shielded from the North Wind, and we made good use of the garage. While the smoker sat in the driveway outside in 14 degree temperatures under a canopy, we stayed in the garage enjoying each others company, as well as the toasty table top heater.
We drank Bloody Marys, played darts, possibly had had a cigar or two, all while checking on the meat in the smoker every 30 minutes or so. Because of the extra cold weather, my normal cooking time went from 4 1/2 hours to 6 1/2 hours. This worked out perfectly, and the ribs were finished just in time to eat before kickoff.
Like I said earlier, it was wonderful to have so many of my friends and their families come by to spend the afternoon at my house. The weather was awful, with freezing rain and a mix of snow to go along with the brutally cold temps. They could have easily had a way "out", but all decided to make it anyway. Like I said, I am blessed.
I wish the game would have been better, but I can assure you that everyone had a good time regardless. I hope this tradition will continue for many years.
Later in the week, we were once again blessed (or cursed depending on how you look at it) with snow. It was really cold, and most everyone I know was uncomfortable being outside. Most, with one exception I should add............
Yep, you guessed it.........Thunder! This was the first time that he saw snow, and wow did he have a good time. It was hard to keep him inside. He would just stand and whimper at the back door when I brought him inside. I was afraid his young puppy paws would get frost bite.
Thunder is growing by the day, and I am so happy to have him. He has really helped fill a void in my life, and I am grateful. He is a full fledged puppy right now, so most of the time my carpet looks like this......
That's the remnants of the Star Wars Storm Trooper dog toy the boys picked out two days before. I'm surprised it lasted two days to be honest. He is one energy filled, sharp puppy teeth chewing machine. It's easy to get upset with him, until he turns and gives you this look.....
Who could stay mad at that face for long?
William
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