June 3 is National Chocolate Macaroons Day.
June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day.
June 11 is National German Chocolate Cake Day.
June 20 is National Ice Cream Soda (a personal chocolate story's attached to this one).
June 22 is National Chocolate Eclair Day.
June 26 is National Chocolate Pudding Day.
June 27 is National Ice Cream Cake Day (definitely chocolate cake or chocolate ice cream).
In case you haven't guessed by now, I'm an incurable chocoholic. For as long as I can remember, chocolate has topped my list of favorite treats—with one temporary (thankfully) exception. More on this later.
My feelings about chocolate can best be stated by the following poem (and with profound apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning):
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
The creamy, sweet confection that I crave.
I love thee purely, as on thee I gaze.
I love thee more as each and ev'ry day's
Most yearning need, both morning and at night.
I love thee freely—thou art my delight.
I love thee with the passion known to those
Who long for choc'late's gift of sweet repose.
And transforms doldrums to a special day.
I love thee with a love I'll never lose
As long as I retain the right to choose.
When on the day I draw my final breath,
When friends and loved ones all around me stand,
I'll go smiling full of sweetness to my death.
And bequeath all my choc'lates to their hands.
Now comes the story of the chocolate soda. When I was about four years old, my family traveled from Indiana to Wisconsin on a bus to visit my dad's sister. Just before getting back on a bus to head home, my mother bought me my favorite treat—a chocolate soda.
As a youngster who had occasional bouts of motion sickness, I probably still lacked the foresight to choose a less dangerous treat. Mama, on the other hand, should have known better. (I don't remember crying and begging for the soda, but then it's been more than three-quarters of a century ago.)Long story short: my stomach was not pleased with my food choice, so it decided to throw it back at me . . . or rather at the Catholic priest who sat on the seat next to me. Fortunately for this embarrassed little girl and her even more embarrassed mother, he was the epitome of graciousness and understanding, never once complaining because he had to wear my soda all the way to his destination.
I obviously survived this humiliating experience, but I was a teenager before ever daring to drink another chocolate soda. Do any of you have embarrassing moments involving chocolate—or June?
 |
| Editor Linda Lane has returned to her first love—writing—while maintaining her editing work. Her novels fall into the literary category because they are character driven rather than plot driven, but their quick pace reminds the reader of genre fiction. They also contain elements of romance, mystery, and romance. You can contact her at websites: LSLaneBooks.com and DenverEditor.com. |
I guess I'll be having hot fudge sauce on my frozen yogurt on Monday. This post made my mouth water.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I had no idea June was so chocolate-friendly until I researched the month for article ideas. When I saw the number of chocolate celebrations, my mouth watered, too. I couldn't let all those observances go unsung (or unposted).
DeleteI'm not a chocolate craver, but if it's in the house, it's gone. Therefore, I don't buy it. I do love a hot fudge sundae or chocolate ice cream.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I love it all, and I will buy it. That is, I love all chocolate unless it's mixed with coffee. I've never acquired a taste for the caffeinated brew that starts so many people's mornings and keeps them going all day long.
DeleteWhat a fun post. And I will have to definitely look for a soda on the 20th. It's my favorite treat of all time, although I have not had the pleasure of sharing it with a priest. LOL
ReplyDeleteMy soda story involves a little diner in Missouri that I visited recently. The decor was all 60s style, so I asked the young waitress if they made ice-cream sodas. "You mean a root beer float?"
"No. A chocolate ice-cream soda."
She looked very puzzled, so I quickly told her how one is made. I used to work in a restaurant that made them, so I knew the process.
The young girl now was intrigued and asked if I'd show her how to make a soda. The manager didn't want me to actually go behind the counter, although I was willing, so I talked the girl through the process.
They didn't have the old-fashioned soda dispensers that mixed the carbonation with the cola syrup, so the girl used soda water, which worked pretty well. The end result was close to the old-fashioned version, and the young waitress was so excited at learning something new. I was thrilled to have a chocolate soda.:-)
What a cool experience, Maryann. I wonder if anyplace here makes chocolate sodas. It has occurred to me that I could use chocolate or vanilla non-dairy ice cream, chocolate syrup, and Sprite or 7-up or a natural lemon-lime soda. It wouldn't be the same, but maybe it would be good. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteWow.... I had no idea there were so many CHOCOLATE holidays! I guess I better get busy and catch up...
ReplyDeleteAny day is a great day for chocolate. :-)
ReplyDelete