At my current job, all the snacks come wrapped in plastic. Here's my favorite: I haven't tried preparing or eating these while camping yet, but they seem like an obvious choice. Healthy, filling, portable, shelf-stable, and delicious. Please sign me up! There are actually two rings in the one ring pictured, and the peanut butter … Continue reading Camping Cuisine: Apple Rings
Morning Warning
In Jurrassic Park, tremors in a cup of water signal the approach of a T-Rex. When I stepped from the shower this morning, the water in my toilet bowl sloshed gently side to side. Uh-oh, I thought. That's either an earthquake, or the wind is shaking my entire building. I didn't feel an earthquake in … Continue reading Morning Warning
The Real Think vs The Real Thing
Forecasting a hectic day for today, last night I brewed a pot of coffee and filled my ice trays, then chilled both before going to bed, a ritual I occasionally practice in order to wake up to iced coffee.*** The smell of that coffee, though... Two hours later, still tossing and turning in bed, bone-weary … Continue reading The Real Think vs The Real Thing
Stump Speech: Exit Interview
"Are you a sore loser?" "Can't be. I never lose." "You lost the election — " "Wrong. No. Uh-uh. Fake news." "People died. Staff resigned. They muzzled your Twitter. The Senate's rejection — " "Quitter, quitter, quitter." "Last words? Any regrets?" "I scorn what that imputes. Although, on reflection — I'd put down deeper roots." … Continue reading Stump Speech: Exit Interview
Perfection’s Rough Draft
One of my few accomplishments during the quarantining last year (besides an epic four part poem about dust, and five poems about national park grief) involved creating a Halloween costume, buying all the parts, fitting it into a perfect storage container, and even labelling it. Then I put it in my closet, the quarantine never … Continue reading Perfection’s Rough Draft
Starting the New Year Right
Last night they fired the starting gun On the year Twenty-Twenty-One. Now with Twenty-Twenty a ghost, Raise your glass and let’s make a toast! May the year ahead soon restore Things ruined by the year before. May we not need to cry, "Undo!" Again in Twenty-Twenty-Two. ~ Camp Host Chad "Cheers!" "Release the balloons!"
Christmas Cheer
I promised to tell you about a Campfire Tales tradition. A few years ago, on a river cruise down the Danube during December, I discovered the joy of gluhwein at the Christkindlmarkt. (Translations: mulled wine; Christmas Market.) Once home, I sought out a recipe (this one, I think it was) and now I make it … Continue reading Christmas Cheer
A Dream and a Prayer
For those of you who celebrate this holiday, I offer this: Merry Christmas! And for everyone, no matter your beliefs, I offer this:
Tradition!
Remember "foreshadowing" from school? Every literature teacher I ever had (and I had a lot) loved foreshadowing like an elf loves sugar. What those teachers never got around to = discussing foreshadowing's counterpart, tradition. If foreshadowing is telling you the story through symbolism before you've heard the story, isn't tradition simply reminding you of the … Continue reading Tradition!
