Donuts in Snowstorm

When a large number of people gather, we feel excited. Why they are gathering is almost secondary, like climbing a mountain because it’s there. The opposite is also exciting; there is nobody where there should be many. Severe weather can create such an occasion.

The snowstorm made me want to step out. The photo of donuts @wandersauce posted gave me an excuse. I shall go get donuts myself. It was too late for Doughnut Plant; they sell out and close early. Looking at Google Maps, I realized there are three Dunkin’ Donuts stores near me, all about the same distance from me.

My wife said she had pulled out my snow boots earlier today and dusted them for me. I bought them at K-Mart more than a decade ago, but they still look new, and the leather is still stiff. They feel almost like ski boots, although the last time I skied was, like, um, 40 years ago? And, I would probably feel fine on my death bed if that was the last time.

As expected, not many people could be seen outside. It was windy, but I bundled enough that my body was disconnected from the harsh reality outside. In fact, I felt a bit too warm.

On the way to Dunkin’, I stopped by Trader Joe’s. Each customer had a whole department to herself. I just grabbed a few frozen sweets; I just wanted to see how empty it was.

When I had a full-time job in my 20s, I enjoyed being at work during snowstorms because not many people would show up, and I could chat with my coworkers all day.

When you go to a foreign country where you do not speak the local language, a random stranger who speaks your language is suddenly your best friend. You feel utterly disconnected from the environment, and against that background, someone who speaks your language is like a small painting on a massive museum wall. If hundreds of other paintings covered that wall, you might not have chosen to look at it.

I was almost surprised to see Dunkin’ Donuts open. I told the guy behind the counter that I didn’t think it would be open. There weren’t many donuts left. I asked for two, but he kept stuffing the bag with more. The bag was so tall it couldn’t stand on its own. He charged me for two, but I went home with eight.