Take A Whiff

One of my favorite memories as a child was going shopping at Sears. I can't remember anything in particular that I ever bought there in the way of clothing or toys, but that wasn't why I loved it. Once upon a time, department stores had candy counters. They sold chocolates and sugared jelly candies among other delicacies. It wasn't the sweets however that lured me to the counter. It was the popcorn. The minute we entered the store the smell of freshly popped corn wafted up from the basement candy counter. My mother usually had the money out before I even asked. I never turned down the opportunity to accompany my mother on her trips to Sears.

Today my daughter and granddaughter accompanied me to Target. As soon as the door opened I was overcome by the mouthwatering aroma of the freshly popped corn. Suddenly I was flooded with memories of Saturday morning shopping trips with my mother. Strange that it took me so long to make the connection, but when I closed my eyes and stood at the top of the stairs leading down to the selling floor it all came back. It was like going home again. If only there had been a candy counter instead of a Starbucks, I would have believed that I had traveled back in time.

Mmmmm, hot, salty, crispy, buttery popcorn!