Breakfast for me is normally high fiber cereal and blueberries. Banana if I must. And frozen fruit in a pinch. And my coffee (which is better than any coffee I know).  I’ll have a donut once in a while. DoNUT. Singular. I haven’t had two donuts in one sitting for years. Three? In the words of Donnie Brasco “fugedaboutit.”    Until last week. 

On Thursdays, my office brings in bagels and pastries.  Last Thursday, I had the chance to sample an assortment of donuts and pastries from Dinkel’s Bakery in Chicago (see http://www.dinkels.com).  Now I don’t think that – in my life – I have ever seen a donut like a Dinkel’s donut.  Scout’s Honor.  I walked up to the box and peered in and my heart nearly stopped.  I quickly looked around to see if anyone was looking at me.  Then I stared back into the box.  Large.  Beautiful.  Pastries.  I reached down, peeled one up from the waxed paper and took a bite.  It was Mardi Gras in my mouth. 

Now if it was custom to simply stare at the donuts – and nothing else – it would have been one of those rare unique experiences which one has once in a lifetime.  Maybe like having a private audience with The Crown Jewels.  If one was blindfolded and could only eat the donut, the taste would catapult the sampler to heaven in an instant.  But to see – and taste – was a unique, cosmic experience.  And it’s one I will assuredly have again. . . .

Truth be told, I snagged three (count ’em) Dinkel’s donuts while no one was looking, sneaked them on a paper plate, brought them into my office, closed the door and devoured them for lunch.  It was like “ahhhhhhh” and I wanted to have a cigarette (and I don’t smoke) and take a nap . . . . .