Cereal

My colleagues and I recently had a passionate discussion about cereal. (Yes, we lead lives of quiet desperation.) It was clear by the twinkling in our eyes as we shared our cereal stories that our love for our favorites was more than just about filling our bellies. We had memories and routines that fueled our connections with the brightly colored boxes bursting with wholesome goodness. It was also clear that many of our favorites were probably not the most healthful, but the boxes boasted extra fortification, so surely that cancelled out any evil.

Frosted Flakes was one favorite. The ritual of eating the crunchy, sweet flakes as quickly as possible so more flakes could be clinked into the leftover milk can be quite satisfying. The final slurps of milk top off the delicious experience. The bright blue box with a gregarious tiger smiling at you each morning is not a bad way to start the day.

Reese's Puffs popped up as another delight. The name was spoken almost in a whisper as if it was a dirty little secret.  Instinctively, we sensed that something with so much buttery, sweet goodness might not be a nutritional  powerhouse, but risks are willing to be taken in the world of cereal. I confess that these flavorful little orbs never make it to a bowl of milk in my world. I eat them like candy straight from the box. Thus, the reason they are not on my shelf. Most days, that is.

A cereal from bygone days also received mention, Quisp. It was known for its cartoon commercials featuring a little other-worldly character flying around with his propeller driven beanie cap. The cereal is now in limited production but one of our co-workers snagged a box at a local grocery store. The small box commanded a hefty price, but the siren song of nostalgia beckoned and soon we were all enjoying a trip down memory lane. The little saucer shaped discs provided a slightly sweet, Cap'n Crunchy flavor. We agreed that our memory was probably better than the actual product but it was good to catch up on the latest escapades of Quisp found on the back of the box.

Cheerios will always be my cereal of choice. My shelf is rarely without the bright yellow box. The little oaty O's fuel my Calvinistic roots with their unpretentious steadiness. I like to eat them right out of the box when I am feeling a bit peckish or as an evening snack in a bowl of cold milk. There was a time when I doused them with sugar for a little extra zip, but common sense has since prevailed, and the cereal now remains au naturel.

So, the next time you are in need of a conversation starter, ask about favorite cereals. I guarantee you will be delightfully entertained. Your other option is to ask about favorite presidential candidates.

Enough said.