Lenny's Memorial Day Time of Reflection 2015
Tempis Fuget. That's my take on how quickly Memorial Day weekend came upon us. Time flys it seems, when you are having fun. Which was not the case this year in the north east section of the country. Time did not fly fast enough to get past a punishing winter. Snow, sleet, cold rain day after day. Almost suffocating were the amounts of clothes you must wear to avoid hypothermia. Shoes, boots, galoshes. Shovels, heating bills, Stuck in snow banks. Dead batteries, worn wipers, heaters on the fritz. Wondering if God has forsaken them.
There was however a glimmer of hope. Light at the end of the tunnel. In some places the river thaws, birds sing their spring songs, going into summer. Trees flush with leaves, covering their semi nude branches. For Long Islanders it is Lenny's Memorial Day Pig Roast. The sign of salvation from the horrors of global cooling. It marks the commencement of the summer season on the Island of Long.
As with every other Pig Roast and BBQ at Lenny and Kim's. The usual suspects were in attendance. Minus one or two who could not make it. Due to the fact they have since become deceased. Eating their last rib and spoonful of beans.
Like years prior, Joes are still raising their heads and looking around to determine which Joe is being summoned. There were a couple of new additions to the BBQ this year. Sweet Lil' Maddie, Joey's new sister. And Emilliana , Gabriellas new born sister barely 6 months old. The patriarch of the group, named Joe Sr. was there almost 4 weeks or more prior. Travelling from S.C. like a road warrior in a travel film. So intent to not miss a bit of what promises to be a better, more exciting event than last year. Kathy, his wife and navigator is always" all in" when Joe Sr. gets the itch. I hope he can always scratch that itch.
The place is Lenny and Kims most accommodating home. Over looking The Great South Bay. The view of the bay is a canvas of colors and wispy white clouds edged in reddish golden halos, Streaking across a pastel blue sky. This year Lenny's two young ladies, Sofia and Lily will certainly help dad with this and that.
The pit was opened to a to a small crowd of those who had been there at the first Pig Roast. Many had helped dig the new BBQ pit. Blacksmiths from near by Horse Block Rd. forged a new automatic spit. Revolutionizing the art of fabricating such mechanisms for BBQs. Especially to accommodate this years feasting plans. The pigs were imported from the wild humid leafy jungle of Java. Yes I said Java, The Java American Pig Assoc. Wants to promote their pork here in the US. They were prepared to send over two large pigs. With the live stock. They sent a butchering crew. Who have all intentions of over staying their visas, They slaughtered and dressed the pigs. Keeping the heart, liver and entrails that will hold them over for a couple of weeks till they get a job. Or so they said.
These porkys were cut in such a way as to be stuffed with arboreal birds about 1 lb. each. Cornish hens were substituted. Soaked in soy and garlic infused terriaki sauce. The sauce obtained from the caves of Okinawa where it is left to ferment for 10 months 2 weeks and 22 days. In apple wood barrels, 25 gals. at a time. These Javanese porkers were affectionately known by the children of the village as Suki and Suko. I am sure the children will miss them.
With the on lookers standing behind a plastic perforated green fencing. That was strung along the vast perimeter of the property. It's intention was to keep everyone in orderly formation. With the help of Dave, Joe Jr. and Tom the chef. Pit Master Lenny was able to hoist the spit on the mountings that harbor it's mechanical gears. Joe D gave it a safety tug. The switch was thrown and the spit began to turn. As numerous American flags waved all around. A sight to behold as truly American. Incorporating an international flair by importing the Javanese pigs and the Javanese butcher crew. That would be staying beyond their allowed visa status.
Let's not forget all the kids that were there. It now being a well entrenched tradition here on Long Island. It was wonderful to see how intrigued they were. As they observed the bird stuffed pigs going round and round on the rotating axle of the spit. Waiting for it to squeak on every third turn. Which it did 4 times out of five. It became hypnotizing. The moms soon got into watching as well. As did the crowd still standing behind the plastic, flexible, barrier. Easily stepped over and crushed under foot. But their attention was focused on the BBQ pit and the up coming squeak upon every third turn. Which it did 4 out of 5 times. Unless it didn't. Which opened it up for something to place a wager on. Many did and either lost or won.
The day was memorable. And we used the occasion to remember those who fought and died in service to our country and it's ideals. God Bless America
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