It’s finally that time of the year
again. It’s CHILI TIME!!!
I make a mean pot of chili. My husband
does, too. House rules when either of us is cooking at home: Don’t
ask, don’t tell. But the -best- chili you could ever put in your
mouth is Cub Scout Chili.
We did a lot of camping when my boys
were little. We tried to put enough camp outs on the calendar so
that everyone could participate in at least one. Some were pretty
close by for those with very young ones so if they needed to bail,
they could. Others were farther away, for new adventures, and just a
couple trips that were on the pricey side. Not everyone could afford
the latter, but it was a well-rounded calendar. A Scout leader had
to attend each one, so I was “volun-told” on a regular basis.
Cub Scout Chili
only came out when it got chilly and the camping trip wasn’t too
far from home. But it was worth braving the cold for. Cub Scout
Chili is -special-! One member would bring, for want of a better
description, a huge, caste iron “witch’s cauldron.” Each
family would bring what they would usually cook when making chili for
their family, and into the pot it went where it was cooked over an
open fire. To add to the excitement, one member would bring a
cleaned (not cooked) deer leg to stir it with. We knew the chili was
ready when all the meat cooked off the deer leg. Let the feast
begin! If there were any leftovers, cold chili for breakfast is the
-bomb-. Kinda like left- over pizza, but better.
Most of the parents
and their kids went to their tents at sunset for a well-deserved
break, aka: exhaustion. But there were a few of us die-hards that
liked to sit around the campfire until much later. There really
wasn’t a lot of talking, just enjoying warmth of the fire, and the
beautiful view of the stars without light pollution from a city.
We all ate well and
played hard, but wouldn’t you know it?!? There were goblins,
ghouls and ghosts in the forest that only came out when the sun went
down. I’m sure the Goat-Man was out there on more than one
occasion.
On one memorable
camping trip we heard a bear in the woods. Not just any old bear,
but a -huge- one that seemed to be on a mission. The roars got
closer and closer. Off in the distance they were easy to dismiss,
but as the bear approached the camp site it got louder and scarier.
Parents, leaders,
and kids alike and awake, all jumped up in a panic. The bear was
between cars just outside the viewing area illuminated by the
campfire. He sounded huge and -hungry-! Those already in their
tents were abandoned to their fate, and the few that stayed up were
making bee-lines to their cars. Parents, grabbing their children, ran
into each other in panic over and over… It was complete and total
chaos!!!
By the sounds of
this bear, even being in a car was no real protection.
Finally, I guess
the bear decided to give up. There were too many kids to choose from
for his supper, and Cub Scout Chili was tastier. It just hit the
spot.
I’m pretty sure
the bear and the Goat Man are friends. They’re out in the woods
just -waiting- for their next meal or child to frighten, so until
they find their next victim – stay safe, and remember they’re
always watching.
Disclaimer: No
children were injured during this camping trip. Several adults
suffered stomach muscle issues from laughing too hard, and shoulder
issues from running into each other in attempts to save their
children. The only fatality was a coffee can. Simple bear calls can
made from a metal coffee can and a piece of wet, cotton cord.
ROAR!!!
