“Tarnation, Cookie.  This is about the best stew I have ever tasted on any drive.  It’s like that ambrosia the old gods were a eatin’,  or some of that manna they talk about in the good book.  I had me a stew in a New York restaurant one time and this stew just plain runs circles aroun’ it.  Come on, Cookie, what’s your secret?”

“Well, alright.  Ya know how I collect up them buffalo chips all day as make we our way down the trail?”

“Yeah, for stokin’ the cook fire, right?”

“Sure. Right.  Who’s ready for seconds?  Eat up!”

© 2013–2025 Duane Stadden