As a child, once per week, I was always able to go to the candy store. Every time, my first stop was at the chip rack. You may call me an eat-o-holic if you wish, but that is how it was! Still until this day, it remains the same.
It was a hot and humid day in Moncton, N.B ( where I grew up) this summer when I entered a corner store ( very much a different experience because a corner store now carries milk, bread, eggs and other staples... not like the candy store). My thought process had not changed and the first thing that I did was go straight to the chip rack. Perhaps I was naive in thinking that nothing had changed! Being in Eastern Canada, where Humpty Dumpty Potato Chips had originated, I thought that my favorite chips would be available. As a young person, these chips were a staple in our house like apples, potatoes, and a side of beef.
Our family spent many evenings snacking on this potato chip sensation. The taste of vinegar would tickle our throat, as we waited for the dill to kick in and make our cheeks pucker. All of the while, we were just waiting for the salt to burn our tongues! There was never a use for napkins because I saved the flavor on my fingertips to lick when I was finished eating my favorite snack! Disgusting, I know, but how irresistible!
Today I met a man, a sales rep for potato chips. I asked him, "Where are my chips, Humpty Dumpty, of course." He answered with , "Well, Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall (of many stores) Humpty Dumpty had a great fall because the representatives were unkind and not accommodating. Old Dutch saw the potential andbought out the company." Currently Old Dutch is selling only the barbeque flavour from Humpty Dumpty. I was told that the recipes sit in storage for now. I am told that with a few e-mails and a little bother that they may very well bring back my flavor.... dill pickle. I can hardly wait!
Humpty Dumpty definitely had a great fall because someone is bringing them back. I can hardly wait for winter!
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Sorry for repeating the last paragraph twice. Unfortunately, I do not know how to fix it once it has been posted.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very desciptive post. I loved the part about all the flavours and how they affected your taste buds. The title is a great metaphor( I hope that is what you intended it to be!) I myself have never tried those kinds of chips and now with this blog post want to try them.. They seem really good:$
ReplyDeleteI suddenly have a craving for chips. You did a superb job in your second paragraph with showing the taste of the chips. That would be a very enticing beginning to your piece. You take away from the intense satisfaction you get from the chips by hiding it in the family history. I like how your title plays on words in your last paragraph. To add to your work, you could stay in the theme of how you felt when you ate the chips, and bring that to the crushing deception of finding out they were not available any more. What does that feel like? What will you miss the most? What do substitute chips taste like? The last few sentences start a whole new episode: the anticipation of the return. How does this make your taste buds feel? Why can you hardly wait for winter? You described so well the eating of chips, that I am sure you could describe the anticipation just as well! If I were to try and help this piece, I would suggest picking out which part of the “chip experience” you wanted to focus on and really work that. Good job, cheers, Yuk-Sem
ReplyDeleteI’m a sucker for Fruit Loops. Just love them. After reading your post, I want to stock up with hundreds and hundreds of boxes of them. I can only imagine the disappointment I would feel if they were discontinued.
ReplyDeleteYour love of the chips is made clear through your wonderful descriptions and imagery. My cheeks actually did that puckering thing when I read about the dill flavour! I could also easily visualize the corner store vs. the candy store. Until you pointed out the differences, I hadn’t made much note of the fact that you visited a 'candy store' when you were a child and now went for chips at the 'corner store'. You’re right, they are two completely different things, and you helped me easily distinguish them. Well done!
I wish you had applied that same detail to the emotions you experienced. I’d like to hear more about how it made you feel to learn Humpty Dumpty had taken a fall. How did it change you? Or did it? What did you learn? How will you apply it?
It was great fun to read, but I’m blaming you for sparking an urge for chips that will result in three extra pounds on my thighs before the week is out!
P.S. A side of beef was a staple in your house?!?!