Val Dumond

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Articles on Writing, Grammar, and Publishing
by Val Dumond

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Val writes articles on grammar, the art and science of writing, and publishing, for budding writers and seasoned authors alike. These articles are not only informative and educational, they're entertaining - written as only Val can. Enjoy this latest of her articles:

Cookie As Metaphor
by Val Dumond
©2008

A cookie with a bite taken out could easily become the logo for the current generation. You cannot operate a computer while holding a cookie in one hand. Not only does it get crumbs in the keyboard, it uses up one valuable keying hand.

There's more. Children used to make cookies with their mothers on weekends. The aroma of chocolate, raisins, dates, and nuts baking in a warm kitchen once set the background for gentle talk and treasured moments. Now cookies are "picked up" at the store or baked instantly from packaged dough.

Let's face it. The day of the cookie bake has passed. No more do we seek kooky cookie jars in the form of animals or jolly rotund people. No more do we try to outdo other moms with cookies for the PTA. No more do children race home after school for cookies and milk and banter with siblings and Mom. (Wait a minute! Are the cookies missing? or the siblings and the Moms?)

One cookie you can depend on - and you have for nearly a hundred years - the Girl Scout cookie that comes knocking at your door each spring. Or it used to. Now you find them (Girl Scouts and cookies) outside the grocery store. They're still around, both the Girl Scouts and the cookies.

Sure those little snacks taste good. Sure you have your favorites. Sure you can freeze them. Sure you love to score for your sweet tooth. There's more. When you pick up a box of Girl Scouts cookies, you pick up not only a bit of tasty heaven, but you're helping young girls grow into responsible, capable, and joyous women.

Consider that funds from cookie sales go to support girls who learn to do things they might never otherwise try. Cookie funds go toward training leaders to guide troop members to experiment, test, try, as they explore the world they're entering. Cookie funds supply materials for girls to grow in confidence as they tackle ways to use carpenter tools, computers, ovens, boats, even horses.

Next time you have an opportunity to snag a box of Girl Scout cookies, take it. If you're watching sweet eating, store them in the freezer and take them out one at a time. But be sure to store enough to last until next spring when the cookies will appear again. Meanwhile, know that girls throughout your community are thanking you for opportunities to learn and grow.

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