Dear BBQ: My Husband Thinks He’s the Pitmaster
The Gospel of Smoke Rings
BBQ Diary: The Last Coal
Embers till the end
Written by Barbie Q - Oct 2025
The Setup
he fireworks were done, the guests gone, the yard quiet except for one stubborn coal still glowing red. I stood over it barefoot, beer in hand, and thought this is what the end of a good day feels like.
The Stir
Mike was inside cleaning up, humming some old rock song. I watched the ember breathe, fade, then breathe again. It looked tired but unwilling to quit. Same, I thought. Same..
The Flip
I poked it with a stick, and a small spark jumped. Defiant, bright, alive. It didn’t care that the show was over. It just existed, doing what it was made to do. I think that’s the secret to everything: burn for as long as you can, no matter who’s watching.
The Rave
When I finally went inside, he looked up and said, “All out?” I smiled. “Almost.” Some lights don’t go out; they just wait for morning.
Stay patient, stay spicy — Barbie Q
Ask Barbie Q
Got BBQ drama, smoke disasters, or life questions that need some flame-kissed honesty?