In the movie Open Range with Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall, there’s a scene where Robert Duvall walks into the dry goods store to buy chocolate and cigars before the big shoot-out.  If he and Costner were going to die at the hands of the bad guys, they were going a) with their boots on and b) with the taste of chocolate and cigars fresh on their tongues. Duvall to the dry goods’ store owner: ” I’m thinking about some candy”; the owner replies “…got anythang you want”. Duvall: “What’s the most expensive ya got?” Store owner: “Got just the thang. This is daaark chocoliaate,,,, comes all the from SwitzerLAND Europe,,,that’s near Fraunce, see. Thay call it bittersweet,,, mealts in your mouth.” Duvall takes 2 pieces of the expensive candy, so expensive the dry goods’ owner had never tried it, “truth eus, we caan’t afford it.” It’s one of my favorite scenes of the movie (there are several).

There is much to be discussed about the climb to the top of Grand Teton – most of which is serious, somewhat heady stuff.  Therein lies the problem. I’m weary of serious.  Since announcing the Grand Climb back in January, serious has been the standard household emotion dispensed freely around here.  Chocolate has also been seriously lacking, which likely has contributed to the overall pervasive seriousness.  I looked up “serious” in the thesaurus so as to give myself a break from writing it, you from reading it. There is no good substitute. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. It’s been serious around here.

A brown, square package arrived today on the front porch. It’s simple exterior gave no clue to its contents. For fun, I began to take photos as I unwrapped it. I didn’t care if they were out of focus or poorly lit (I’ve been taking my photography way too seriously as well). A package addressed to me that I hadn’t paid for was here and I pawed at it happily like a cat with a new yarn ball.

It’s CHOCOLATE!!!!!!

From SwitzerLAND!!!!!!!

No time was wasted.

Milk came quickly onto the scene.  Normally, I would have drank it straight from the container, but I caught a serious cold on the mountain and didn’t want my nurse to catch it. Quick! How many times has “serious” been used in this post?!

The seriousness is gone. In its place, a stomach ache is coming on… a discomfort I’ll happily deal with. Thank you my Swiss friend. Thank you.