Brunch with Becks is an ongoing weekend series where I wax poetic on tales from my life starting with the 9 Truths. Yes, I too can’t comprehend that all these odd occurrences have happened to me.
I was disturbed when I walked into the kitchen and heard a few of our friends trying to figure out who sang the song that was playing. I could name that tune in 3 or 4 notes easily and know all the lyrics! How could there be a discussion about this singer’s signature song? I mean, what?
The song was the "Piano Man."
I rolled my eyes in disgust as I blurted out, “Billy Joel! How can you not know that?”
I shouldn’t have been so rude. Twenty subjects of the English realm showed up to my party—mainly humoring me—to celebrate the United States independence from the British monarchy.
Obviously, they don’t celebrate the 4th of July in the United Kingdom or any other country. Their big day for fireworks and bonfires is the 5th of November.
They were all very kind and wore whatever Americana they had on hand. Our English neighbor lent us his American flag and only seemed slightly put off when I refused his Confederate version.
I had only moved to England a few months earlier and this was my first Fourth of July in my new country. When I asked my husband—and subsequently his friends—if I could throw a BBQ in my homelands honor they were all very supportive.
My soon to be Mother-in-law took me grocery shopping, I didn’t drive while living across the pond, and we picked up a couple hundred pounds of food and serving ware. I was a bit puzzled that she suggesting cooking the chicken first, before putting it on the grill. But she offered to do this and it was one less thing for me to worry about.
There were a few things that I HAD to have for the party that weren’t available in British stores. I found an American food supply company online and quickly placed orders for Ranch Dressing, Jello, graham crackers and the like.
As a thank you to my new friends and country, I decorated the cheesecake with the Cross of St. George, the patron saint of England. I also made Jello shots in the shapes of stars and stripes.
The day before the party the weather turned very British and the rain was threatening. Andy quickly ran to the store to pick up a canopy so we could still entertain in our backyard.
Everybody was wonderful and helped me get through my homesickness on my first American holiday away from home. We didn’t sing the Star Spangled Banner or anything but the spirit of “the land of the free and home of the brave” were firmly embedded in my heart.
I guess Billy Joel just isn’t very popular in good ol’ Blighty.