It was a lazy

Sunday afternoon. I was trying to think of something I would like to eat.

Something I would thoroughly enjoy.

Cheez-its came

to mind. Cheez-its was what I decided I needed. I always want Cheez-its,

but on this particular day I felt that I needed them. Then the fantasy

began.

With a tall

glass of sweet iced tea at my side and an open box of Cheez-its in my

lap, I began to wonder what food I would want if I were stuck on some

deserted island all alone.

I told myself

I would be allowed only one food and one beverage so I had to choose well.

Sweet iced tea was a no-brainer. Then I thought about bananas, apples,

salmon, breads (all kinds of breads). I tried to think of healthy foods,

foods that would sustain me well for a long period of time. I told myself

I would pick from my list of healthful foods.

Then I began

to think about chocolate.

I remembered

something I read in "Peace, Love and Chocolate: Spiritual Humor and

other Stuff" by Benny Aabamadamabaa (an obvious pseudonym). The author

(a Denver attorney (male!) - go figure...) listed ten top questions one

might ask of a spiritual guide who could enlighten us concerning the hereafter.

The number one question was, "Is there chocolate on the other side?"

I don't know

about the other side, so I began to imagine what it would be like to have

a chocolate party here and now. As I munched on my Cheez-its, I tried

to picture the kinds of chocolates and chocolate lovers I would have at

my party.

Should it be

elegant and sophisticated with tiny, bite-sized treats and dainty delights?

Should I go totally casual and completely relaxed with whoever and whatever?

Would I like an all-fudge party, or a variety of chocolate chip cookies

(dozens of unique recipes). Perhaps it should be just brownies. Maybe

I would tell each guest to surprise me and bring their favorite chocolate

creation.

Would we have

a judge on hand to pick the best chocolate concoction? Perhaps I could

be the judge.

Why such a

fixation on chocolate? Do you know there are thousands of books about

chocolate? Most are recipe books with awesome photographs that will, in

and of themselves, add pounds if you look at them long enough.

And I have

lost count of the books with a spiritual or inspirational focus that spin

off our devotion to chocolate. Consider "Chocolate for a Woman's

Soul" and "Chocolate for a Woman's Blessings," both by

Kay Allenbaugh.

As my fantasy

expanded I went to the computer and performed a few word searches. I discovered

the ultimate Web site for chocolate lovers: www.chocolocate.com.

The Chocolate

Lovers' Page may be the ultimate guide to chocolate on the web! Their

database currently lists over 920 chocolate web sites around the world.

Whether you're looking for chocolate retailers, gift baskets containing

chocolate, chocolate recipes, information about chocolate, chocolate manufacturers

and suppliers, chocolate for fundraising, chocolate industry and trade

associations, chocolate fan sites, or books about chocolate, www.chocolocate.com

is an excellent place to start.

But I wasn't

actually looking for any of those things. In the end I decided I'd have

to carry along my Cheez-its and sweet iced tea if that island ever called

my name. There's no telling what healthy fruits might already be growing

on the island and I could always fantasize about my chocolate.

In case you

are wondering how I decided... When I reached the bottom of the box of

Cheez-its that was nestled in my lap, I gently pulled the paper liner

from the box, carefully held it just so, and lifted the paper to my mouth.

I couldn't think of any other box or bowl or plate of anything that I

would not ever leave a crumb in or on.

AND NOW, on

a more serious note. No deserted island is calling my name or yours. We

are right here in the good ole USA and there's more than chocolate and

Cheez-its to think about. Please vote your convictions in the upcoming

election.

Let yourself

try to imagine for a moment what it would be like to have no choice. Then

think long and hard about the choices you are blessed to have. Know who

and what those choices are. Decide who and what you think would be best

for your country, your state, your county and city. Then vote your convictions.

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