**sugar

I have this strange affinity for sugar.

However, no much of a sweet tooth. I will rarely go out of my way to purchase a slice of cake (unless I am in near proximity to Cafe Ettore......I adore the white chocolate strawberry mousse cake) or the baked goods at Old Soul. The banana and Nutella crepe at Ti Couz? I will run barefoot in the rain for that confection and a glass of Riesling. Most of these purchases are because I've either passed by and was immediately seduced by the smells and sights of warm, soft, baked goods.

Fruit? There is nothing as sweet as a fresh banana that has slowly begin to show spots surfacing. The flesh is insanely sweet and the softness? A sin that cloaks my palate. After consuming one, my senses have been deceived and I can taste nothing but the fruit. I can smell nothing but the fruit, having been consumed by it.

I'm typing this while I sit at the counter facing the windows, sipping my iced caramel latte, with a scone made of cream cheese and chocolate chips, crumbling slowly under my fingertips.

Another day found me in the exquisite company of a creamy creme brulee. I sat, across my then date, slowly tapping away at the smooth golden surface, until the silver spoon cracked through. The minute crunches mixed in with the custard was a heavenly mix of textures. My date found the entire process amusing. Apparently, my joy was evident during the process.

Cost Co cakes? I've been known to wait around for the corner pieces at many a birthday party in the office. The more the rosettes, the better. I take delight in the crunchy icing found on many mass produced sheets of cake. My friends took extra rosettes off surrounding slices and slid them onto my plate. Blues. Reds. Pinks. Green. Small bites here and there, letting the icing crunch between my teeth.

Sugar has a strange hold over me.

It is not bearing, yet I feel it calling me. Sometimes, in the middle of unforeseen moments of time.

At an Absinthe anniversary, I left the signature liquor and took the time in taking the sugar cube between my two fingers and slowly letting it dissolve in my mouth.

So sweet. So different.

I revel in that.