Grandma's unsweetened rolled oat cookies

-----------------------------------COOKIE-----------------------------------
  1 1/2 c  All-purpose flour
  1 1/2 c  Rolled oats
      1 ts Baking soda
    1/2 c  Shortening
    1/2 c  Hot water

----------------------------------FILLING----------------------------------
      2 c  Chopped dates
    1/2 c  Water
    1/4 c  Granulated sugar
      1 ts vanilla extract
 
  Combine flour, oats, and baking soda. Cut in shortening until mixture
  resembles coarse crumbs. Add sufficient water to shape dough into a roll.
  Wrap in waxed paper; refrigerate overnight.
  Cut cookie dough into thin wafers (1/8 inch/3 mm). Place on cookie sheet.
  Bake in 325F(170C) oven for about 10 minutes.
  To prepare filling, cook dates, water, and sugar on low heat for about 30
  minutes; stir occasionally. Stir in vanilla. Cool.
  When cookies and filling are cool, spread about 1tb(15ml) date filling
  between two cookies. Makes 3 dozen filled cookies