PICNIC AT THE LAKE.... Isn't it funny how some things just seem universally American.. Well, to me they do.. I'm sure there are picnics at the lake, beach, park, etc all over the world, in many countries that we all could name.. maybe in some we couldn't.. but still to me, in my world.. I just see Picnics at the lake/beach as American.. Maybe because our favorite picnic is on the 4th of July with Family..
It's quite a ritual, our favorite picnic day.. Not necessarily for us... but the following is always done.. the names sometimes change from year to year.. but someone takes over these duties..
1. Someone must cowboy up and be at the lake, crack of dawn, to secure picnic tables and our traditional spot.. That someone is usually an early riser and happy to be out at the lake while it's still cool ... (NOT)
2. Someone has to call all the family members with the "chosen Meat" so appropriate side dishes can be volunteered or assigned to each family.. Some family members have a "dish" that is a must for them to bring.. I broke the tradition this year. Our resident Baked Bean maker was sick from an abscessed tooth... so I volunteered to take on the traditional picnic dish.. there was little complaint.. LOL unlike the year I decided to take on the potato salad .. that was a fiasco in the making.. I thought I would cut corners and save time.. I made the sacred dish with instant mashed potatoes.. very unacceptable as I was to find out.. Not because there were complaints.. we are way to sweet for that.. no one wants to hurt any one's feelings.. there were just a few, "who made the potato salad".. when I said " I did, and can you believe I used Instant potatoes"... there would be a sweet smile.. then an almost imperceptible "turning up" of the nose.. I was to soon learn that "cutting corners" on timeless, traditional favorites was NOT a good idea...
3. Someone usually tries to remember to bring all the stuff we forget we will probably need..
tablecloths aka: the best clean sheets we can find on short notice, serving spoons, ice, radio, tire pump for inflating beach toys, ice, grill, charcoal, ice, condiments, ice, band-aids, ice, assorted beach toys, ice, onions, extra beach towels in case someone forgets one, and ice...
4. Someone usually tries to make the kids a special, fun, beach type dessert.. usually depends on how hot it's going to be...
5. Someone usually the same person, makes sure all our favorite games (for the adults) are brought out and set up.. it use to involve a volleyball net, ball, horseshoes, and a Frisbee... now that we are all older, it involves a "hillbilly/ladder golf" set.. no one wants to see us running and jumping up in the air to spike the ball... we are afraid if we tried to jump in the air, our support hose would fall to our ankles, our fat would fly in weird directions.. and well, to be honest.. we are afraid something would break..
We all meet up eventually... kids are suited up and slathered up with sunscreen... adults are hosed down with bug spray.. allergy meds are taken and the blankets and jackets are at the ready for anyone who is a bit "chilly".. As soon as the brother's... my dear husband and his brother get set in their chairs.. the stories begin.. all of us listen.. the younger ones talk of jobs, their latest college classes, where they are heading on vacation, if the gardens are growing, and what new movie the kids want to see...
We all catch up on what's been happening since the last time we were with "the family" for some it's only been a few weeks.. for others it was Christmas, or the "Family Picnic" last year.
6. Several Someones usually make sure to get some really funny pictures.. there are threats of posting them on facebook or some other social networking site.. but they are idle threats.. We just pass them around at the next "family" function...
What a wonderful American Scene.. I see it repeated countless times over the summer..
all my "friends" pages are full of picnic poses, and adventures... I can't begin to imagine how many hot dogs, brats, and burgers, will be grilled out at "the lake" this summer.. or how many giggling kids will take their first steps into that "chilly water". or how many Dads and Mom's will spend time trying to blow up that" favorite" water toy.. or finish the last bit of the sandcastle..
who could ever count the many times the "ole fishing pole" will be baited up and sent out with a kid or three... bucket in one hand, worms in the other.. trying to catch a "big un"...
There will be countless games of volleyball, Frisbee, and gator golf... Buckets of sun screen will be applied... and many will still need to "put something on the sunburn"... Boats will be set in the water.. the Brave ones will attempt to water ski, some will ski like pros, some will think they just "drank" the entire lake.. some, will wish their suits were tied on better.. (big grin) you know who you are...
Yep, a totally great American tradition.. "The Picnic" at the lake, in the summer... with the family.. and friends...
I hope you get to experience one soon...
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