Twinkie Composition (150 calories per one each cake): Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Flour, Reduced Iron, B Vitamins (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid)], Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable and/or Animal Shortening (Soybean, Cottonseed and/or Canola Oil, Beef Fat), Whole Eggs, Dextrose. Contains 2% or Less of: Modified Corn Starch, Glucose, Leavenings (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate), Sweet Dairy Whey, Soy Protein Isolate, Calcium and Sodium Caseinate, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin, Soy Flour, Cornstarch, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sorbic Acid (to Retain Freshness), Yellow 5, Red 40.

And what exactly would you like for Christmas? Sorry. I've said that so many times it just comes out without me being aware of it. But, how in the world are you getting along these days? Thanks for showing up here at the blogger ranch for another Monday visit, on this December 3, 2012. I will tell you that I cannot get used to very young children asking for their own Laptop computer, an I-Phone, or an I-Pad/Pod and/or Tablet. Makes me want to run out and add texting to my cell phone. Just joking. I wrote about the demise of the Twinkie makers. Here's an update provided from a lady over in Louisiana who is on my Facebook: "You may have heard that Hostess Company went out of business due to a  workers' strike. But you may not have heard how it was split up. Let me be the first to inform you how this crisis has been responded to: The State Department hired all the Twinkies; the Secret Service hired all the HoHos; the generals are sleeping with the Cupcakes; and the voters sent all the Ding Dongs to Congress." I knew many of you would want to know how all of this is playing out. Some rumors say we might just be getting them imported soon from Mexico where the minimum wage by law is set at less than 5 US dollars per day. That should give pause to those who could have continued working for $20 plus per hour had they been willing to compromise. Oh well, I suppose that's the way the Twinkie crumbles, or something like that.

Here's the kind of email that really gets my attention: Community Coffee On Sale. You do know I typically order it up in the 32 ounce bags and it was being offered for 15% off with free shipping. It didn't take me long to calculate the per ounce cost on that deal. Well, I had been thinking it about it for a couple of days. The sale ended on November 30 at midnight. The clock was ticking. I still had about a bag and a half on hand but I kept coming back to that email and finally pulled the trigger on 4 more bags. It didn't take my chubby little fingers very long to fill out that pesky little order form. Total savings including the shipping was just under $18. They can run that ad anytime they want to. And, just for the record, for those, including my significant other, who tend to think I obsess over my Community, let me be clear: It really isn't that big of a deal to me...to me....to me. The other day she received her very good report from her gastroenterologist that showed all the tissue samples were clear but the letter included a list of foods and drinks that she should avoid to help her with her reflux problem. I encouraged her to take it seriously. She immediately asked me what I would do if they told me I could no longer drink my Community. Where did that come from? And, what does that have to do with the price of tea in China, or coffee in New Orleans? I do think this stereotyping needs to end and I know many of you would agree. Right? ....... Right? Okay. Then, you could at least think about it.

I couldn't resist giving you all those listed ingredients found in the Twinkie. The joke that's been out there for years has to do with how the Twinkie is virtually indestructible due to all these chemicals. It may be an urban legend but even one of our granddaughters mentioned how a stored Twinkie pretty much will last forever. The official response from the Hostess Company which is now defunct indicated their plan called for Twinkies to be on the shelf no longer than 7 to 10 days. I have heard that some folks are freezing them. I suppose they will thaw them out for a special occasion. Maybe I should check out the half life of Community Coffee. That was only a joke. It's okay to chuckle now and then, if for no other reason, to make sure your chuckler is working. And never forget that it's okay to laugh at yourself. I've learned that for me, that truly is a gift that keeps on giving. Occasionally, I let you in on some of the self inflicted antics that fuel this self deprecating frenzy. Some. What's that line from the movie? "You can't handle the truth." I will tell you this. The potential seems to be growing with age. But, I suppose some never realize that they have their own built in entertainment center. Remind me to tell you about the time...... Okay, maybe later. Take care now, and may God bless each one. Amen.     .....More later.