So there I was staring into space, minding my own business, not hurting a soul, when Linda asked  “What are you thinking about?”   Actually, I was thinking about whether I should have a chocolate chip cookie even though it was less than an hour before dinner.    

Before responding, I took a beat to consider the consequences of telling the truth.  If  I said I was thinking about getting a chocolate chip cookie, it would likely lead to me getting an unpleasant lecture about my eating habits.  

Cleverly, I  deflected potential criticism by saying:, “I’m thinking about the meaning of life”.  The look on her face was somewhere between disbelief and regret for having asked.  To make it more convincing, I elaborated, “The meaning of life is a deep topic, however I am a deep person. I should have the answer in a couple minutes.”  She rolled her eyes. 

Saying I was thinking about the meaning of life is sort of my secret code for me  going to the den to think of something to blog about.   Staring at the blank screen was not helping, so I looked out the window.     

As per usual, the squirrels were eating birdseed out of my bird feeder.  I’ve long since given up on trying to prevent the squirrels from eating the bird seed.  Looking at squirrels getting a treat reminded me I wanted a treat.  Chocolate chip cookies make good treats.    

The thing about having a bird feeder is that the birds and squirrels become dependent on easy food from the bird feeders instead of learning to forage food from traditional sources.  Don’t feed wild animals unless you intend to feed them consistently over a long period. 

This is at the root of my problem. I’m not sure I would, or even want to, survive if my supply of chocolate chip cookies was cut off.   Sure chocolate chip cookies are a treat, however, chocolate chip cookies give life meaning.   Let’s not even consider a life without meaning. 

Chocolate chip cookies are well worth the effort it takes to eat them.  Many people mistakenly believe cold milk is the correct beverage to have with chocolate chip cookies.  In fact, the best beverage to have with chocolate chip cookies is ice cold water.  Maybe the fact that I am a bit lactose intolerant contributes to this opinion.  

Chocolate chip cookies, without a doubt, have been scientifically proven to give life meaning.  Having done numerous scientific experiments over a long period of time, I can say without a doubt, with no chance for error, chocolate chip cookies give life meaning. 

The lesson, of course, is that humans are animals. Once you start to feed us chocolate chip cookies it is important that you keep feeding us chocolate chip cookies, always.  We might starve to death if the chocolate chip cookies are no longer available. Continually feeding us chocolate chip cookies over our entire lifetime allows us to lead good, meaningful lives. 

When asked what is the meaning of life, Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) said: “The meaning of life is a deeply personal and subjective question, with no universally agreed-upon answer. Ultimately, the meaning of life is what you choose to make it.”  

As you can plainly see, Google’s very powerful and all knowing artificial intelligence supports my contention that chocolate chip cookies give life meaning.  The meaning of life is what I choose to make it.  

In Douglas Adams’ *Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* book series, the supercomputer “Deep Thought” took 7.5 million years to calculate the answer to the “Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything”.  Spoiler alert,  the answer is 42.  

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy nailed the essential meaning of life:  Life is about the quest more than the destination.  My quest is to eat chocolate chip cookies my entire lifetime.  Obviously, in the giant scheme of things, destinations are as meaningless as the number 42.  Life is a quest, fulfilled by eating chocolate chip cookies.

If you research examples of what gives life meaning you would find the following three items: Identify a purpose or calling.  Have experiences that lead to fulfillment.

Do things that bring you joy.  

Eating Chocolate chip cookies will, in fact, give you a purpose, lead to fulfillment and bring you joy.  Eating chocolate chip cookies is, without doubt, a good thing to do.  

For many years Linda periodically made me chocolate chip cookies.  A couple years ago, I made a batch of my own.  They were not perfect.  However, with Linda’s help, over many batches of cookies, my technique improved.  Now my chocolate chip cookies are, in fact, pretty darn good. They are often praised by those who taste them.

Below are the modifications to the recipe on the back of the bag of Nestle Chocolate chips package which makes them well worth the effort to eat them.  

Use 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla instead of the only 1 teaspoon.   Microwave the butter in a bowl for about 15 seconds before using it. Use 2 teaspoons of baking powder.  Add, in addition to the chocolate chips, about a third of a cup of Kraft Caramel bits.

Bake them with parchment paper on the cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 9 minutes.  Any longer than that they tend to get crispy, much less than that they are still doughy.  

I take them out of the oven and slide the sheet of parchment paper with the cookies on them onto the table with a vinyl tablecloth on it.  They will be thinner than a traditional chocolate cookie but do not despair.  They will taste great.  You will be the envy of all the cool  people.

These cookies give life meaning.   

During cleanup, wipe the vinyl tablecloth with a disinfectant wipe, the melted butter tends to soak through the parchment paper and the wipe cleans it off the tablecloth. 

You are welcome

The closer you look, the more you see.