By Jeanni Ritchie
You know the dreaded obligatory purchases of candy bars, magazine subscriptions, and wrapping paper when a friend or co-worker’s child or grandchild is selling? You buy something — even if you don’t need it — because eventually it’ll be your own child selling. (This is what makes the consumer world go round.) Plus, you generally like supporting community organizations.
But you never seek out those order forms whose tally columns inevitably put a dent in your checking account. Unless it’s Girl Scout cookies. Then you become Ferdinand Magellan, sailing the world in search of Trefoils.
Fortunately, I have a good friend whose granddaughter is a Girl Scout. Every January she sends me a link to place my order through the online digital order form. The cookies arrive a couple of months later.
Last month, my mom and I went to pick them up. Delivery had been an option but I’d been out of town so I asked her to hold them until my return. It would turn out to be a wise decision.
We tried one of each — Peanut Butter Patties (formerly Tagalongs), Adventurefuls, and Exploremores (a new Rocky Road-inspired cookie), Lemonades, and Thin Mints. Mom is the only one who likes Thin Mints in our family — I skipped tasting that one.
I was on the fence about the Exploremores, but enjoyed the rest. The Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs have been my favorite since I was in Girl Scouts selling cookies myself. I was also pleased that after last year’s bakery change left the cookies tasting quite different, they seemed to have returned to their original recipes and flavorful taste.
That was all it took to get me out of bed after a Sunday afternoon nap and head to the swing to write a few articles. I envisioned a Coca-Cola next to me on the right, and the box of Peanut Butter Patties to my left. Fuel and inspiration.
Imagine my utter disenchantment as I went to the cupboard — and like Old Mother Hubbard — I found it bare.
Okay, that may be a tad dramatic. It wasn’t exactly bare, but the red bag filled with my favorite cookies in the entire world had vanished. I was beginning to understand why my mother’s favorite cookies and candy bars are the ones no one else likes! Sure enough, there was a full box of Thin Mints sitting untouched next to where the Peanut Butter Patties had once been.
I decided I’d snack on the Adventurefuls instead. Gone. The Exploremores? Also vanished. Had Houdini done a magic act in my kitchen — or had I simply left them alone with my father for too long?!
I was glad I’d had the foresight to pick them up myself after I’d returned from my trip. At least I got to try one of each!
So here I am — cookie-less on the swing — like all the others scrambling to find Girl Scout cookies before the season ends.
But good news! The Girl Scouts of the USA have made getting your cookie fix easier than ever. If you were unable to place a pre-order, you can visit the girlscouts.org website to locate troops setting up booths near you. Also, a local supporting troop — Troop 1073 — is shipping nationwide to support their first overnight camp. Find the locations of walk-up stands or online shipping at: girlscouts.org/
But don’t wait too long! Girl Scout cookies are only sold for a short time each year. And if you live with a Cookie Monster, make sure you order an extra box or two to hide for yourself!
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
