packsaddle

Since I was the first (I think) to mention barbecue, I would like to compliment everyone for the turn this thread has taken (Craneace is probably scratching his head, wondering). Food is obviously a passion that we all share. But I noticed a reference to pecan pie. In our parts, where barbecue is king and brunswick stew is something we don't fully understand, pecan pie occupies a place of reverence, when done well. Or as I like to say to compliment the best cooks, the best pecan pie could cause a culinary orgasm. The accent, by the way, is on the -can...a peeecan is something you take dear hunting. Twocubdad's rendition for NC is similar to around here, yep, hush puppies are good too. I've been many places in our great country and southern barbecue doesn't seem to translate elsewhere. Not sure why not, Krispy Kremes sure conquered the yankees easily. We barbecue every weekend each fall (whole pig, approx 200lbs) and I never get tired of it. However, I would like to get the address (how to get there) of the place that Its Trail Day mentioned to check it out. I'm always trying to learn something better.

Hard to beat good ole Tabasco. Melinda's out of Charleston, SC is pretty good though, made from Habaneros. When we're out for a hike, the boys often complain about needing snacks. I offer them Salsa-flavored cheese crackers (I think they're made by Lance). I warn the boys that the crackers are spicy, but testosterone and hunger often move them anyway. The older boys know better by now. You could call it hazing but so warned, they have every opportunity to avoid the result. And they don't complain much about needing snacks afterwards. I should add that all of the hot sauces, for that matter tomato sauce and catsup (ketchup?) are great for cleaning metal surfaces, especially copper. Lemon juice and orange juice (and similar juices) work pretty well also. To test the effect put a drop on a tarnished penny. The effect is nearly immediate, just a few seconds, and your wife will have new respect for your knowledge of Revere ware. No elbow grease necessary unless egg or something is caked on. Now think again about what's happening in our stomachs....

Speaking of two cents... I was Christened, baptized, and raised Presbyterian (my eyesight is much better now, thank you). Later transitioned past LDS, others. I am fascinated by Baha'i and UUA faiths. But after reading the posts by Red Feather I feel a strong kindred spirit. I wouldn't go so far as to place myself among druids but I do seek a spiritual peace in what most of us would call 'nature'. Although I earned the God and Country award, religion had nothing to do with my involvement with scouting. 'nuff of that, I once ate lunch in Cincinnatti at a place called the 'Rib Pit'. Best ribs I ever had, anyone know if it's still open? But in order to absolutely obliterate the afternoon, I'll take a hefty portion of Southern beef or pork barbecue with lots of sauce, cole slaw, baked beans, corn bread, and sweet iced tea. Man, I'm breaking out in a sweat already!

Take a look at the thread, 'Troop size and recruiting'. Very similar concerns there. Could be some need of consolidation.

Yep, I knew I could count on OGE. The answer is a definitive...well, maybe. Especially if I'm addressing the female leaders. ...and now back to your regularly scheduled argument.

I named our dog after a food item (Pepper). And now I feel so...guilty!

My troop, sorry, the troop that I serve, has several very active women leaders. I enjoy their contribution very much but I find myself reminding them often that it is mildly annoying to the boys when leaders call them things like 'snookums' and 'sweetie', etc. They are unapologetic and to this day, quite incorrigible. Maybe I'm just jealous.

I was mentioning this to my wife. She said, "I suppose you're going to tell me this makes you powder....." Well, you get the idea. Man, she sure has me pegged, how does she do that? I replied, "Of course not, dear." I declined to suggest that her usage was not proper.

Your descriptions are common memories for me. But I agree that you need more boys coming in. And, after all, that would be good even with a dream team. However, it sounds like you do have some good material to work with. If you can get those older boys to show the younger ones what teamwork is all about things could work out. But it would be good to get the word out for new recruits...your troop is on the edge of critical mass. In our troop we collected from each boy two names of scout-age boys who might be recruited. They weren't allowed to give the same names. So we end up with a couple dozen good candidates during the year each year (keep in mind there are several other troops competing with us). Then our recruiting chair calls them (the parents) and talks up the troop. This actually works about 30% of the time. BTW, we concentrate on friends of the youngest boys because they are the ones more likely to 1) have non-scout friends and 2) have friends who will be around a while if recruited. Also each year about this time the district does a 'round up' for cubs. We piggyback onto this with a look towards older siblings, especially where families are moving in with new boys starting school in the fall. Finally we try to stay visible with publicity about service projects. You will no doubt get some more ideas from this forum.

NJ, your logic is impeccable.

You should be able to do it with your troop but it depends on the boys. If all of them are very young and inexperienced the patrol method will not come naturally. Someone will have to guide and teach. If you have as many as 4 older boys with good leadership skills, you should be able to work with it but my judgement is that you are on the edge and you need more boys. Demographically, the population size is less important than the number of boys of the right age. A retirement community or one with few children could not support a troop as well as a community with a younger average age. The chartering organization for our troop (known in another thread as 'my' or 'our' CO) currently has no young boys. Logically, we look elsewhere and work hard to recruit from 'outside'. If yours is the only troop, some publicity is in order for a community of that size. A nearby town in my area (sorry, the area I live in) only has about 600 people and they have a troop, and a strong one at that.

Anonymous quote. "And just whose mother is it anyway? Why it must be "my" mother..." OGE, just to bring a little light-hearted biological reality to something I think you said, the supposed mother from Chicago knew absolutely that the baby was hers. Paternity, on the other hand (as we biologists like to remind people), is always in doubt. Have a nice day.

OGE, I say this tongue-in-cheek because I know you have a sense of humor. But let's say you have always wondered about the 'woman within' you. Lately so much that you undergo a sex change. Realize that this is not a genetic change so outside radical surgery, the equipment will remain the same. But you do it nevertheless, and become the ravishing creature I know you would be...with a backpack. How would BSA view your participation with the crew? You started as a heterosexual male and changed to (superficially at least) a heterosexual female. [i might add that from my observations in New Orleans, these persons can be quite convincing, or as Spock would say, "fascinating"] BSA should have no problem, right? Hey...I think I have discovered a solution to your problem!

Interesting, his recent lack of response. Maybe he's off camping.

Saw it. Nice trip! I sure wish we had resources like that to draw from around here. But we get by. No problems with the hair. Nice article.

Haven't seen it yet but I sure will now! Congratulations!

I work for the military so I appreciate acronyms, but what's SAR?

Scoutmaster Ron, what you suggest seems implausible to me. If someone wanted to 'get the dirt' on BSA, why search in a forum where most of the participants actively support scouting? I could be wrong, but to me it seems like it would require apocalyptic stupidity on his part.

Bob White, sorry, I was still thinking about LauraT7 and AnneinMpls comments on Lifeguard training. Senior Lifesaving (YMCA) was really intense as I remember it. I was wondering if it would be viewed favorably by BSA or if they would still require a day or so BSA training.

Wow, Rooster, I agree with you. They need to be like us and lighten up a little. Let us be united in our 'ownership' by duty, loyalty, and a sense of responsibility toward one another.

I have plenty of criticisms but nothing, I think, that would qualify for the original query. That's good isn't it?

We're still struggling with identity. My guess is that once we achieve a critical mass of members, one will gel. My wish would be for something along the lines of Wilderness First Responders. But it's up to them.

OGE, you were...sniff...trying to hurt my feelings weren't you? I confess to being a deadline nut. I become very frustrated if I am late. The officers don't like it much either. I drive a stick but at the risk of red feather's wrath, I usually stick to the speed limit and I follow at a safe distance. Not very tolerant of smokers either.

Without getting bogged down in semantic arguments, I was under the impression that the CO 'owns' the charter, the hardware and other assets of the troop. But to use a church analogy, I consider the troop to be something almost spiritual that is 'owned' by all who contribute and participate...independent of and transcending the physical attributes. No one owns the individuals, but we all share the spirit and we all also share the responsibilities toward ourselves and each other. Maybe this is just even more confusing, but when I say 'my boys' I mean it as more than simply an endearment. I mean it as a recognition that I have a sense of duty toward them and that I expect a similar sense of responsibility from them toward each other. Anyone follow this, or did I just make things worse?

Anyone know how the YMCA fits into any of this? As I remember, that training took about a month of daily work. Is there any kind of reciprocal agreement there?