Sounds like a 7th grade essay ... what National Barbecue Month Means to Me. Since I am the sappy sentimental one around here, maybe it qualifies as that. You can always count on me to get all misty at inappropriate times!

Nevertheless, I shall have my say and I'll keep it short.

National Barbecue Month is the harbinger of summer for me. It's the transition from the renewal that spring brings to long, lazy days splashing in the pool, cooking out, and enjoying family and friends. I know that picking blackberries is just around the corner, and big juicy tomatoes will be appearing in the garden soon. It reminds me of the good that life brings us, despite the daily battering we take from the news anchors, grouchy bosses, and all those bad drivers out there.

So it's time to do some spring cleaning around the smoker, find the pool floats, and dig the hammock out of the storage shed. Gimme a rib and a beer and a nap in the shade!