G.S. Cookie Time, January 12, 2026 473 words

January leaves little to look forward to. Snow, cold and winds create a palette of whites and grays without the relief of colorful Christmas lights. But for an old Girl Scout, this is the season for ordering traditional Girl Scout Cookies.
I recall waiting for the start date for taking orders for shortbread, thin mints and peanut butter sandwich cookies, favorite friends. Each year, a new cookie is introduced. Lemonade, friendship chocolate dipped and fruited jewels are introduced and discarded.
I had a vivid memory of one year the starting date fell on a day with two feet of snow. With no school and my Mother!s attempts to entertain failing, she suggested I take the cookie brochure to the neighbors for orders. Suited for the weather, with a clipboard in my hand, I ventured out. I found most of my neighbors snowbound as well. As I pushed my way through the frozen tundra, I was greeted by bored housewives and their children looking for entertainment. Even cars were not on the roads in my neighborhood. I was the only person wading through two feet of snow to ring front doorbells. Several people commented on my dedication. My sale total was high because of the lack of competition.
Each box of cookies earns a small portion for the troop and the scout counsel. That day, I sold over 80 boxes of the treats.
Times have changed. Cookies can be ordered and received in several days, compared to the month to fill the orders. Many troops order a large amount of all the cookie types and man cookie booths in local grocery stores or malls. The whole troop split the profits the to pay for camping and other trips.
When I was a GS Cookie Mom, John and I would be given boxes of cookies ordered by the troop. We divided the orders out into individual scout orders. There were one or two girls that were late bringing a check or cash to pay for their order. Eventually the payments were straighten out.
Today, there are drive throughs where you stop, give your order and take home your cookies at the same time. Gone is the month or more of anticipation.
My favorites? Thin Mints and Shortbread cookies top my list.
Recently, cookie orders can be taken online and delivered to your door. They can arrive in as little as 4 days.
Whether you get your cookies from an individual Scout from a troop sale or online, you will find this sweet will support a hundred year old tradition.
***. poem
Cookies
First cookies were homemade .
In 1934, They sold nationally.
Memories of scout cookies bring smiles.
From generation to generation, Thin mints and Short bread flavors rule.
I will be on the lookout for a girl scout booth.
carolaspot@aol.com copyrighted 1/12/26