DECKPLATES & GRILL-GRATES

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 226

If you’re in my neck of the woods, you know it’s a bit rotisserie out there. The bank thermometer read 90° at 5; but to this pasty beached whale, it felt more like 190°. Just put us all on a spit and spin us right 'round, and we’d all look like barbecue chicken. And ya, ya, ya, I know I’m being facetious and all… but, why would you expect anything else?

That all said, it’s a good day for firing up the grill grates. I got's me some chicken wings on the pellet smoker right now. Twenty-nine minutes more of smoking before I crank 'er up to 400 to crisp 'em up, and then it’ll be time to dredge 'em in some of the wifey’s homemade RANCH. (Oh my, that stuff is like crack. It should be illegal, it’s so good.)

Chicken wings are one of my summer favs. They’re not overly fussy, but mighty tasty, succulently moist, and also crispy and zesty (depending on your spice mixture). As for me, I like to keep it simple: 1 Tbsp each of Dirty Bird seasoning, baking powder (crisps up the wings), and the magic — Kelly's Fricken Chicken Dust. That last one is the bomb dot com. (Don’t go dumping on the 2000s vibe now.)

But of that last one – that awesome chicken dust — I can’t find it anywhere 'round here. We looked online and didn’t have any luck. Sure, there’s a retailer in the Twin Cities that carries it, but they don’t ship.

Hello? It’s 2026 already! I ain’t driving 2 ½ hours just to get me my “fricken” seasoning.

Well, we expanded the search to see who else carries the magic sprinkle. Every site seemed to be out. My goodness, it’s a conspiracy, I tell ya.

Last time I bought it, we were still in Nebraska. Knowing we were moving to Minnesota, I didn’t just buy a shaker bottle's worth, but a big bag’s worth. My buddy Chris, who farms and sells fertilizers, is also a BBQ aficionado. So, knowing Chris used to hook me up, I called my dealer to inquire.

“Howdy, Chris? Hey, don’t know if you remember me. This is Jason. I used to pastor in Alma at Peace…. Say, do you still carry that Kelly's Fricken Chicken Dust… and do you ship? Oh you do? You’re my savior…. Hahaha!”

Chris and I caught up for a few minutes; it was just like I’d walked into his shop and began to chew the fat. I’d make the 25-minute drive to buy my pellets and all the BBQ sauces and seasonings my heart’s desired. Chris had it all. Little did I know he has an online store too. Cue the choirs of angels singing from above. Bwah-waw-ha-wa… (That’s me trying to sing for ya. There’ll be an encore performance on Sunday at church.)

Speaking of catching up, earlier today as I was prepping for Sunday service, a Navy buddy messaged me, saying he’d found an old pic of us from our time aboard the TR.

Sean and I met during the early parts of Operation Desert Storm in the ship’s library, both searching for pen-pals from our home state of Minnesota. My memory could be off; perhaps we met earlier, but, ya know, those details aren't all-important.

Here’s what is: Sean became such a good friend that he took leave and flew home to celebrate my marriage to Danielle. Goodness, that was 34 years ago. While my nuptial day wasn’t the last time Sean and I met, it’s been a hot minute: pre-Y2K, if memory serves me right.

We’re planning to get together this summer after he’s all healed from hip replacement surgery. Goodness, those memories from our days walking the deckplates together; they all flooded back today. Oh, the stories I could share (but won’t).

Deckplates and grill grates; today’s been the day for catching up with friends. And for that, I’m super grateful. Thank you, God, for old friends, old memories, and… well, one more story. But that story’s gonna have to wait until tomorrow night. It’s one I promise you won't wanna miss. Might even put a tear in your eye.

Well, my timer went off (long ago), and we devoured our “Fricken” wings. Sorry, I didn’t save you any; I needed leftovers after all. Anyway, until tomorrow night my friends….

What are you thankful for today?