The Bachelor Diet

 Another short story from days gone by for a little humor and an escape from the here and now.  Forest Service in Orleans and others Districts from 1969-95.  

Back in the days of working in those far off remote places, such as Orleans, in northwestern California, Hamburger Helper was the food of choice for us single men.    We would stock up during those monthly grocery shopping trips to the big city, usually at the Arcata Safeway, clearing the shelf of this prized product.   In addition, we would buy 10 or more pounds of hamburger and I don’t remember any of the lean stuff.    When a pound of hamburger was in the frying pan it would produce an inch of grease or more.   There was no need for cooking oil.   After adding the box of Hamburger Helper ingredients it could all be consumed right from the skillet, saving from having to wash more dishes.    

Other items that were purchased to round out the diet, including cold cuts, usually bologna, cheese, white bread, apples and cookies for those lunches out in the woods.   Bacon, eggs, cereal and milk for breakfast.   A few canned goods and potatoes for those times when the main dish of Hamburger Helper was depleted.   Due to a limited budget steaks and pork chops were rarely purchased.   On some weekend occasions eating at the Samoa Cook House outside of Arcata was a real treat.  

The beverage of choice was beer and at times a little wine.   Most of the wine was in gallon jugs with no need for a cork screw.   Quality was not a consideration back then.  During the wet winters in Orleans there would be slides along Highway 96 leading to the outside world, cutting off traffic for a week at a time.   The local store would run low on basic items, including beer and wine.  It was not good, as panic set in.

After getting together with my first wife, she introduced me to whole grains, fresh produce, chicken and brought a new word into my vocabulary, “Organic.”   I must give her credit for saving me from doom.   I feel lucky to have made it this far.