A scent in the air

on
One of our dear friends in the blue gloves and
some other fine folk who we know
Actually in the upper 50s degree wise this morning and it feels like one of those "gonna be back to school soon" early parts of the day.  Late August is my favorite part of the summer season, just for cool and dry mornings if for nothing else.

Today is also the local fire department's BBQ.  They sell about 1,200-1,500 plates of a half chicken, slaw, roll, baked potato, corn on the cob, desert and a soda (a can of beer for those of age) at $20 a pop and sell out a couple weeks in advance.  Right about now the "pit" is being primed with what must be half a ton of charcoal.  The plates start rolling out about 4pm and the line stretches a bit but it is good humor all around.

The folks at Standard Hose and Eagle Hose belong to a department that goes back 150+ years. We
have pictures of a fireman's parade from the 1880s.  They had their own brass band back then. No BBQ that we know of but plenty of activity.

Anyway, about 1pm or so, the first 300 half chickens go over the coals and their marinade (Martha Stewart supposedly asked for the secret recipe and was turned down) causes some of the best smells the village has all year...a cloud of yum and if the air is still, like now, it permeates every nook and cranny and people smile for blocks around.

They surely do.