The Comfy Corner

It happens every year I suppose, but for some reason, I feel like the pumpkin-flavor craze is especially palpable this year. Everywhere I look I see pumpkin flavored this, pumpkin flavored that; everyone I talk to is saying something along the lines of "Oh my god, I LOVE pumpkin cheesecake."; and Dunkin Donuts is getting the most business it has ever gotten because of their take-me-to-heaven-and-bathe-me-in-pumpkin-syrup-because-you-are-so-good pumpkin doughnut and their own brand new version of the pumpkin latte (TAKE THAT STARBUCKS).

I talk as if I am an observer looking in...but in fact I am part of the craze. I LOVE IT!! Nothing is comfier than a pumpkin spice latte and my big hoodie. I am the reason why Dunkin runs out of their pumpkin doughnuts by noon. Perhaps that's why the craze seems so apparent to me? What doesn't help is that I work at a restaurant that purportedly serves the most heavenly pumpkin cheesecake in town. I have yet to try it (I fear for my metabolism, gotta keep up that Broadway body - and pumpkin doughnuts don't count). The moral of the story: we crave anything that tells us that the season is changing. We do not like to get stuck in ruts. When it's summer we long for snow, when it's snowing we long for just one summery day. We are in a constant state of discontent, so when pumpkin flavor comes around it is a signal of change. It means sweaters again, long pants, Halloween, gaining weight, holidays, and pretty leaves. Tis the season ya'll, eat up that artificial flavoring while it's here.