ABOUT WEDDINGS - BBQ TONIGHT

PART TWO

It’s Thursday morning, bright and early, as evidenced by the sunlight penetrating the room darkening blinds on the hotel window.  I pulled them back to look out on a small community situated on a plain as level as the floor. Across the way, near enough to walk stood a Walmart and several other well-known retail stores.  Not exactly abandoned by the contemporary culture as I had been led to believe before arriving here.  But then, I do remember the ride across desolate country last evening.

We had breakfast in our room, and the others prepared to leave for the farm, a forty-five minute drive.  I had the day to rest and do some chores which I had chosen to bring along with me.  The wedding party would return for me at 4:00 pm to join them in a BBQ being hosted by the groom’s family at the farm. Guests were arriving by the hour, some staying at our hotel and others with relatives living near the farm.  At 3:00, my family returned, tired, dirty, and full of adventures to relate. After quick showers and casual dressing with jeans and boots, they faced the ride back to the farm.

 They worked all day cleaning the area for the reception, preparing food for the evening, decorating the reception area, and becoming acquainted with the farm animals.  Between 60 and 80 guests were expected, and the nervous Mother of the Bride reassured herself that it would surely all come together in three days.  She greeted her parents, Dennis and Gloria Lange, who arrived that afternoon, and we all climbed into vehicles bound for the farm. 

Soon all signs of community disappeared, and a straight, long, rolling-hill terrain roadway spread before like a ribbon rippling over the countryside.  With the sun still high at 6:00 pm, we drove between pastures with cattle grazing on prairie grass extending to infinity on both sides of the road.  A few groves of trees appeared here and there, and in the distance a windmill farm rose into view with arms rolling top speed in the warm summer wind that always rushes over the face of Oklahoma. Mid-way to the farm, we passed through a small village that boasted of a post office, a tiny city hall, a church or two, and a few houses.  No stop signs or signal lights.  Few vehicles, not much need for traffic control. 

At last, we arrived at the farm after negotiating several turns on dirt roads. Humorous to listen to the frustrating directions confronting the modern technology trying to determine how to find a road that is three miles west of the Oak tree on the corner of Farm Road 54.  The post office can find the Turners – what’s wrong Siri? We arrived in time, everyone seeking a restroom at once. Between two residences on the farm, they had three rest rooms – so all is well, at least for now.

The farm stretched over rolling pasture, much of the land still heavy with vegetation, although several acres of hay were mowed leaving the scent of newly cut grass in the wind.  The huge red barn of metal construction stood on a knoll above the farm house suggesting its importance as the hub of the farm activity.  Several small structures supporting the farm operation and housing the animals nestled near the barn area. 

Built in the picturesque barn fashion of two story center with single story extensions on both sides, the barn will serve as housing for the retail tee shirt business the family presently owns.  The second story features an apartment, livable, but still under construction, that will serve as Heather and Nathan’s home.  Frugal and wise in their decisions, they will make a lovely home to serve them for some time.  Their future plans include the development and operation of a craft oriented business, Lumberjackie, already active with a website, LumberjackieLLC@gmail.com.

With garage doors on both ends, the bottom story center is open area with cement floor.  Tonight the space is devoted to serving a sumptuous BBQ dinner. With decorations for the wedding partially complete, the practical farm family pushed aside the chores for tomorrow and hosted the evening of fun and food for a large gathering of family members arriving for the event.

Young family members fed and played with the farm animals.  Being a young farm just starting the venture, most of the animal life is also young.  Two small bulls being raised for breeding kept the guests entertained, along with a heifer, several hogs and piglets, mules, and guinea chickens strutting around the area ignoring the guests. A gas motorized cart entertained the young children who loved driving through the pasture for just the pleasure of driving.

As the evening progressed, in spite of the citronella efforts to deter insects, the food invited the flies to plague us while we tried to enjoy the BBQ.  Even the windy evening could not discourage the insect activity. Heather and Nathan mingled with their guests taking care to speak with each one.  I especially commend them for the courtesy and thoughtfulness of remembering my gift and personally thanking me, and I suspect they shared the same maturity with other guests.

With everyone tired and the promise of a long hard day to continue preparations for the wedding, the group dispersed as a beautiful full moon bathed the farmland in silvery light.  Not a cloud in the sky, optimism continued to reign as the bridal party nervously worried about the weather.

Groans arose as we climbed into the van for the thirty-five mile, forty-five minute return to the hotel in Woodward.  Now, the desolate ribbon of highway stretched before us bathed in ghostly moonlight, the only sound that of “Siri” trying to direct us through the winding dirt roads that led back to civilization. As we pulled into the portico and unloaded the van, we were met by others arriving for the wedding.  Tomorrow is rehearsal and all preparations must be completed.

Next, Part Three, The Rehearsal. Hang in there, folks. It’s a long-winded story.