September 13th, 2022

Why are donuts so wonderful?  Is it the fact that they are seriously non-healthy food and therefore taboo which, as everyone knows, ups the desirability factor of pretty much everything.  Or is it some associated delightful childhood memory?  Is it the fragrance of all of that sugar and fat and more sugar that calls to you?  Is it that sweetness melting on your tongue which,  ultimately if you eat enough of them, practically puts you in a sugar coma?

I honestly do not know what is it, but it's something and that something is awesome.

Because of the "bad for you" element involved, we do not often eat donuts. In this house, we honestly try to eat with nutrition in mind most of the time. But every once in awhile, as a special treat, we absolutely do indulge.  It's usually centered around a special occasion but recently we dropped by our semi-local Five-Oh Donut shop to satisfy my cravings.

  It was after a particularly miserable and very early morning doctor appointment which was way up in Sarasota.  After we left the doctor office, Tim asked if I wanted to go out for breakfast.  It was a very kindly intended offer.  But quite honestly, at that moment, the idea of sitting in restaurant having eggs and fruit and other healthy things just didn't sound at all appealing so I declined, with apology and asked if we could just go on back home.

As we were leaving though, and I was feeling completely sorry for myself, suddenly what I wanted most  in the world was a donut.  Yes, I was comforting myself with food.  One of the things that every nutritionist in the world will tell you to never do.  That very thing.  Yup.  I do it all the time.  

Because Tim is a nice man, he did not point out the foolishness of my request and we made the quick stop.  Five-Oh Donuts is a wonderful place with "Arrestingly Good Donuts".  That is their own descriptor by the way.  They have the standard stuff, of course: glazed, frosted and filled, but they also constantly come up with new and interesting ideas.  The hardest part of visiting there is making a choice because what I always want to say is, "Yes, I will take one of everything please". But of course I do not.  We each selected two donuts and we waited until we got home to eat them.

The anticipation just about killed me.  I could smell that yeasty sugary wonderfulness wafting through the car the entire drive home.  By the time Tim's coffee was ready, I was prepared to devour everything in the box.  But I resisted.  I only ate my own.  I considered (for about 30 seconds) saving my second donuts until the next day. And then I laughed and laughed and gobbled up the second one too.  Heaven.

I have known people who do not care for chocolate. I have met people who don't really enjoy pizza.  I have even heard that there are folks who dislike ice cream.  I do not understand any of that but I accept it as true. However, I have never EVER heard of one single person who dislikes donuts.

 I'm sure there are lots of folks who opt to not eat donuts.  Probably very health conscious people with far more self-discipline than I.  But choosing to not eat them is not the same thing as disliking them.  I'm sure everyone has a favourite flavour that they prefer above all others but really, is there anybody out there who actively hates donuts?  Really?  Is it true or are they just saying it?  Sometimes people say things just for effect or they are trying to convince themselves.   Because frankly  if you tell me that you despise donuts, I'm not sure that I will believe you.  

In the words of an old friend of mine,  (you know who you are!)  "I never met a half dozen donuts that I didn't like".    I'm with you, kiddo!

And in case you are wondering, it worked.  Afterwards, I felt much better.  The healing power of a donut cannot be denied.