Better than a tie
"What should we get Dad for Father's Day?" my sister asked weeks ago.
I rolled my eyes, as that is one of the holidays that I can never find any creativity for. We reluctantly agreed on an Amazon gift certificate, another Amazon gift certificate. That has become the modern day tie of Father's Day gifts in our family, so I put my thinking cap on and don't feel bad about congratulating myself a little on a smart idea.
Mom and Dad live in Montana where no real barbecue exists (at least none we have been able to find). What Montanans refer to as 'barbecue' is actually just meat, like hotdogs or hamburgers, cooked on a grill. Real barbeque is pork, beef or chicken cooked slowly over real charcoal and/or wood and served with tangy sauce. We might have some incredibly stupid politicians in this state, but we have damn good food.
I remember hearing years ago that Dreamland Barbeque, originally opened in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in 1958, delivered ribs anywhere in the country, with sauce and white bread of course, packed in dry ice. Folks, it was not cheap, but the reaction was fantastic and to a Dad who has always been so generous and giving with his daughters, we could not resist.
Here was the Father's Day card giving a clue of the contents of the package that was delivered this past Wednesday:
I rolled my eyes, as that is one of the holidays that I can never find any creativity for. We reluctantly agreed on an Amazon gift certificate, another Amazon gift certificate. That has become the modern day tie of Father's Day gifts in our family, so I put my thinking cap on and don't feel bad about congratulating myself a little on a smart idea.
Mom and Dad live in Montana where no real barbecue exists (at least none we have been able to find). What Montanans refer to as 'barbecue' is actually just meat, like hotdogs or hamburgers, cooked on a grill. Real barbeque is pork, beef or chicken cooked slowly over real charcoal and/or wood and served with tangy sauce. We might have some incredibly stupid politicians in this state, but we have damn good food.
I remember hearing years ago that Dreamland Barbeque, originally opened in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in 1958, delivered ribs anywhere in the country, with sauce and white bread of course, packed in dry ice. Folks, it was not cheap, but the reaction was fantastic and to a Dad who has always been so generous and giving with his daughters, we could not resist.
Here was the Father's Day card giving a clue of the contents of the package that was delivered this past Wednesday:
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And this was Dad's reaction via e-mail:
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Wow, and double wow. I am blown away by the gift and also by the way you got it to me. I just held the still-frozen ribs (and the bread) in my hands and gazed. Your mother said, "There's so much we'll have to have someone over." At that point, I found my voice: "Mine!" I will hoard these ribs, count them like a miser his coins, eat them gradually, savor them, lick my fingers, sop up the sauce with the white bread, chew off some soft ends to offer to the mutts and perhaps, only perhaps, share one or two with your ever-planning mother. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This is a major-league gift, maybe the best Father's Day present you've ever given me--certainly the most memorable. I can hardly believe my good luck, in daughters and barbecue. Much love, dad xxx
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I think we picked a winner. It was certainly more appreciated than a grilled weiner.
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