Tough Cookie

THE COOKIE JAR FORCES

by Nancy Allen

There are forces out there that help us find cookie jars. Whether it is called luck or intuition or divine intervention - they are out there. Several months ago, Barbara Crews had mentioned on her website about a book that had just been released with a picture of a chef cookie jar on the cover. It was "Tough Cookie" by Diane Mott Davidson. I found it at a bookstore, but because of the cost, I decided to wait 'til it went on sale some day......then, actually I forgot about it.

One day I met some friends for lunch in a part of town I don't normally frequent. After lunch I decided to hit a few of the stores in that area. The day before on ebay I had lost the bid on a book called, "Grandma's Cookie Jar Cookbook".

I spotted a discount bookstore that also carried Beanie Babies and decided to run in and see if maybe they had that book and some new beanies. While looking around, the owner of the shop asked if I needed any help. I told her the book I was looking for and also that I collected cookie jars and liked any book that had the words "cookie jar" in the title. (I wonder why.....lol). While she was in the front checking, I happened to notice the other book, "Tough Cookie". She found me and informed me that she didn't have the Grandma book. Then she explained that there was a children's book coming out called, "Who Took the Cookies From the Cookie Jar" and that she could order one for me. I said sure and asked her how much the "Tough Cookie" book was. She told me and then asked if I had the cookie jar that matched the one on the book cover. Well, this is where my heart began pounding so hard that I could barely get the words out - "There's a cookie jar that matches this one?" as I pointed to the picture on the book. "Yes, there sure is", she replied. Well, as my heart was pounding even harder - I asked "You have one here?" She said, "No, not here...at the other store. I think its about $25. Do you want me to call and see if they still have it?" I couldn't say "yes" fast enough. And, yes, they still had it and would let me have it for $20. They would hold it for me.....I bought that book so fast and flew out the door. I just couldn't believe my luck!!! Did the jar really look like that one on the book cover? Why didn't any of us know about this jar? Did they have more than one? Who made this jar? Within 15 minutes I was at the other store.

As I stood at the counter, I saw the jar. The euphoria I felt is the kind that we all feel when we see something that just takes our breath away. Very calmly I told them who I was and they handed me the jar. It was real...it was heavy...it was mine!!! Oh happy days!! Then they began to tell me a little something about the jar. They got it because they thought it would look neat with the book display. (And I'm sure it did - only none of us saw it then). It was hard to get, but they managed to get one. They didn't think that many had been made and that this one was probably the only one in Oklahoma and probably a real collectible too. I watched as they wrapped it and carefully put it in a bag. I was so happy! I didn't care that the book cost more than the jar. That jar now belonged to me and I went home.

As I unwrapped that jar and got it out - it all began to hit me. Had I not met my friends for lunch that day; had I not decided to shop around that area then; had I not decided to go into that little bookstore; had the owner not asked if she could help; had I not told her about my cookie jar collection; had I bought the book when I first saw it; had I not asked the price of that book - that cookie jar would still be in the corner of a storeroom, not in my house sitting next to the book. It is absolutely true, and I truly believe, that there are forces out there beyond our control that are driving us to be where we need to be when we need to be there.....especially when it comes to finding those elusive cookie jars. So, I'd like to thank the "force" that helped me find my way to the "Tough Cookie" cookie jar.

*Editor's note: The ACJA would like to thank Barbara Crews and about.com for allowing us to use their "Tough Cookie" picture. May the force be with all of you as you hit the cookie jar trail! :)