Page 25 - FEB 2021 Digial Edition

Always on your mind
My mind is always running a million miles per hour and seemingly going in the same amount of directions. “When are my deadlines? What’s on television tonight? Do I have gas in my truck? That’s a pretty picture the way the sun peeks through the clouds.” How- ever, the one thing always on my mind is what I love. I am re- minded of the Willie Nelson song, “Always on My Mind.” The song is about the guy who may not show his girl enough how much he loves her, but she is always on his mind. This is the way it is when you’re in love. You are constantly thinking about that special per- son. Your thoughts always go to them no matter the situation. “What will she think of this?” “I wonder what he is doing right now.” “We need to go out Friday night, but where?” “He is so hand- some.” “I can’t believe I am with someone so beautiful.” You get the idea.
When it comes to cooking outside, for most of us, it is the exact same way. I was walking through a sporting store the other day and said, “I wonder if they have a grilling section.” They did, it was small, but they had one and I visited. I am always thinking about what to cook on the grill, smoker or flattop. Trying to create a recipe which will end up in my cookbook one day. I wake up with an open fire on my mind. I fall asleep with seasoning a brisket in my thoughts. I daydream about cooking something exotic like an alligator or lamb over a rotisserie. You can say I am in love with outdoor cooking and it’s always on my mind.
Long to be with them
When you’re in love with someone, you just long to be with them. You look forward to date night. You can’t wait to walk barefoot on the beach with them. When they are at work, or the store, you just can’t wait to see them again. When you’re dating you are always wanting to text them or look up their social media just to see their face. Scrolling through your pictures on your phone to remember those special impromptu moments of happiness. You know the pictures you took. The ones she thinks are horrible, but you think she couldn’t look prettier. You do this simply because you are in love and long to be near them when they aren’t close by.
If I go too long without being around a grill, I start getting antsy. Those around me can tell how much I need to be smoking or grilling something. During the rainy season, it is especially difficult. I pass by a grill in the store and I start thinking about what I could be cooking. Being away from cooking doesn’t happen often, just to be clear, but when it does, I can’t hardly wait until the next time.
This is also how it is with the NBBQA family. With COVID causing our conference (as well as many other events) to postpone, it makes our next one all the more special. Besides the educational sessions and speakers, it’s the fellowship with one another which brings many back year after year. We just long to be together with those of the same mind and passion, the love of BBQ.
Enjoy being together
For two people in love, date night is anticipated. The surprise of a fancy restaurant for two. Legendary dinner and a movie for open- ing night of that movie she’s been wanting to see. Just cuddled up on the couch to watch the Food Network is just as exciting. What makes any of these (and more) so great is you are together. One couple would walk to the dumpster of their apartment complex just to have a moment together. Another couple would meet for their lunch break at a central location. The bottom line is they are together. Couples will look for opportunities just to hang out and hold hands.
Enjoying being together is one major characteristic of the BBQ family, especially when it comes to the NBBQA family. Going from SCA cookoff to a KCBS cook-off, to the national conference, one thing I look forward to more than the cooking is the hanging out with everyone. There are always as many stories being swapped at these events as there are drinks being had. The laughter of new and old friends fills the halls. Hugs will abound from those you’ve not seen in a year or so, as well as those you were just with last week.
When you love something the way we love BBQ and the NBBQA, you just enjoy being around these people. Even as much as you love being around your favorite cooker in your backyard.
Treat them with care
When my mom was passing away, I noticed, perhaps more than ever, how much my dad cared for her. He danced with her while she was still able to walk. He would lay beside her and stroke her hair when she couldn’t. When she was no longer able to speak, he would still joke with her and recieve the occasional smile from her. When you’re in love with someone you treat them with care; looking after their needs and even their wants as you can. Young men were taught to treat their ladies like an expensive, porcelain doll, with tenderness and care.
I treat my grills with great care as well. They are protected, main- tained, cleaned regularly and seasoned. This care extends the life of my cookers, some of which are more than 20 years old. I know some who have cookers 50 years old and others who collect an- tique grills.
When it comes to the NBBQA, the same care should be considered. Our association is one born out of a love of BBQ. From here, friend- ships, as well as partnerships, have been formed. The care which has been taken over the years, 30 years to be exact, has brought us to a time of challenges. Yet, here we are as a group, as a family, doing all we can to carry on for another 30 years.
So, as I think about the one I love, I also think about introducing her to my friends. When you think of the NBBQA introduce it to all your friends. Together we will spread the Love of all things BBQ and the NBBQA.
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