Week #12- Charles (and the chocolate chip cookies)

As you can see from the title of this post, the Give and Bake Project is up to week twelve so far.  For the most part, the people I've encountered have been very wonderful and pleasant and grateful for something to snack on.  There have been a couple of people who seemed a bit indifferent and not too interested in chatting, but so far no one's actually been rude.  That changed on Friday with a bit of an interesting encounter with someone who actually started off extremely friendly.

I had heard about a very happy and chatty homeless man who spends his days on the lower level of Michigan Avenue bridge and makes small talk with the regular commuters who pass him each day.  So on Friday after work, I headed that way armed with a batch of chocolate chip cookies and lots of questions.  It was about 4:00, so the bridge wasn't very busy yet as it was a bit before rush hour.  As I approached, the man flashed me a big smile and said "Hey there! How ya doing? I'm the bridgekeeper!" I was delighted by his enthusiasm.  I offered up my cookies and his reply was "Can you instead go to McDonald's and get me a fish sandwich?"  I nervously laughed, hoping he was just joking around with me.  I realized he was serious when he figured out I wasn't going to get him a fish sandwich, and his tune quickly changed.

I managed to ask the "bridgekeeper" a couple of questions, although it was clear he was becoming more annoyed with each one.  I learned his name was Charles, and that some nights he stays at a mission and some nights he pays for a hotel.  He used to be a valet parker which he felt was the perfect job for him because he is so "friendly," but now he is 58 and doesn't want to work anymore.  I don't blame Charles for wanting to spend his days on the bridge. It's a very picturesque spot with a sweeping view of the Chicago River flowing out into Lake Michigan, the occasional architecture cruise full of happy tourists, and at the top of each hour, a rainbow fountain framing the entire scene.  And on this gorgeous and sunny Friday afternoon, who wouldn't be in a good mood with such a view?  But when I asked Charles if he has pretty good luck in that spot, he angrily replied "Only if you go away!" And with that, he shoved me a bit and exclaimed "Go on now, GET!"

Charles spends each day on the bridge and it's clear he is well known.  Every person who walked by him waved and smiled; it was clear he is a part of many people's daily routines.  I wonder if any of these people who are so kind to drop Charles a few dollars now and then have ever stopped to actually talk to him; if they had, I don't think Charles would be a part of their daily routine for much longer.

I don't expect to always be warmly received through the Give and Bake Project, but even on the rare occasion when I come across someone who's not very friendly, I still think there is a lesson to be learned.  Many of the people I have met so far have at first seemed a bit sullen and off-putting, and after chatting with them, they turned out to be such warm and kind people with interesting stories.  And then every now and then, I'll meet someone who seems very kind at first, and turns out to be not exactly the nicest person.  So the whole "don't judge a book by its cover" philosophy can definitely hold true in either direction, and it's important to give people your time and conversation before making up your mind about them.  Just maybe from now on, I might give people my time and conversation before deciding if I want to give up my cookies. ;)




Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 3 1/3 c flour
- 1/4 c sugar
- 1 c packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 c butter, room temperature
- 3 eggs
- 1 5.1 oz instant vanilla pudding dry mix
- 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla
- 2-3 c chocolate chips
- 1 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.  (A side note on the butter in all of my recipes... I definitely think room temperature works best; better than softening in the microwave.  So if you have the time, let your butter sit out for a few hours before beginning.)  Next beat in the instant pudding mix until blended.  Stir in the eggs and the vanilla.  Next blend in the flour and baking soda.  Lastly, mix in your chocolate chips.  Drop spoonfulls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.  If you want your cookies to come out nicely rounded, then roll the dough into a ball and slightly flatten it on the cookie sheet with the palm of  your hand.  Bake about 9 minutes on 350 degrees, being very careful not to overbake.  Let cool for several minutes on the sheet before removing.  Yields about 60 cookies, depending on size.

I've had several attempts before with chocolate chip cookies, and I don't know if it's this recipe or if I'm just getting a bit better at baking, but these turned out pretty well.  The pudding is supposed to help keep the cookies soft, and it sure worked here!