A Different Perspective
I don’t know how many of you have ever been to an authentic ‘pig roast’, but it is something to see. Years ago, my husband made a large hog cooker, big enough to hold an entire hog. It has a spindle that holds the hog and rotates at a slow rate of speed, so that the hog cooks entirely through. The entire process takes about 12 to 14 hours for a large hog (250+ lbs), but the guys take turns staying up, watching the fire, adding more coals as needed, and basting the hog every hour or so. Family members and friends usually come and visit and eat a big pot of soup or chili while the processing is going on, but then the next day is the best part! Everyone gathers at the designated place at the desired time. We bring every kind of covered dish imaginable to go with the pork and then eat to our heart’s content. For certain, no one goes away hungry. If they do, it’s their own fault.
After dinner is probably the most fun of all. We sell 50/50 tickets and also chances for a handmade quilt; done by one of the family members. Usually, one of the smaller children are asked to draw the winning tickets and the results are made known. But the real fun begins when we have our auction! People bring homemade jams, pies, breads, cakes, beautiful wooden shelves, handcrafted dolls, floral arrangements, metal art pieces, and anything else you might imagine. The bidding war begins with every jar of jam and every loaf of bread or baked pie! Can you believe a jar of jam going for $25? It does! And a raisin pie went for $30! It is so much fun to watch and listen to the auctioneer ( a family member) work the crowd and he does an excellent job. He always seems to get top dollar too! The proceeds from the auction goes to buy the hog and supplies for the next year and the family gets headstones for family members who only had a rock or small marker at their grave site.
The time and fellowship is unforgettable and will be joy to remember for years to come. If you haven’t ever had a family reunion/time together, make time. You will be glad you did. God gave us families for a reason; to love and enjoy as long as we can.
