Chili anyone?

Oct. 24 - Bring chili to the church Halloween party. (Note: Last year, I whipped up a gourmet white bean chili. I not only didn't win the cook-off contest, but also no one ate it. This year, I put two large cans of Hormel chili in a crock pot and added a few green peppers to make it look homemade. There was no cook-off contest, but someone did email me for the recipe. Point made.)

Nov. 8 - Receive call that there is an unclaimed crock pot in the church kitchen. We put our name on the bottom, but whatever. I make a mental note to pick it up that day, but my mind is distracted by news that the drop-crotch pant is making a comeback.

Nov. 15 - Forget it. Again.

Nov. 17 - Finally remember to pick up the crock pot, which is in the fridge, because THERE IS STILL CHILI IN IT. I contemplate tossing the crock pot, but decide to open the lid and deal with the moldy stench. Except ... there is none. The chili smells like I made it yesterday. I throw it away, despite a temptation to serve it to sweaty teenage boys playing basketball at the church.

Nov. 18 - Still a little freaked out about the super-preservatives used by Hormel. If you hear someone on the phone, it's probably them. They're clearly taking over the world one crock pot at a time. Also, beware of any envelopes that smell like chili powder.