Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Oh, peppermints!



As I bundled up this morning in preparation for today’s battle with winter, I was warmed by the notion of a fresh discovery at the bus stop. I dashed downstairs, out the door, and trudged through the snow, hoping to spy my favorite, albeit elusive, of all the wrapped treasures, the peppermint starlight candies. I approached the corner with cold wind whipping at my face and lonely snow blowing across my boots. The ground was empty.


I've only seen them a few times. Two, if you’re counting, as a matter-of-fact.

What does it mean?

I suppose there could be some sort of symbology in the whole Mystery Candy phenomenon. Perhaps the greens, yellows, and oranges left behind bear a meaning of absolutely nothing and are only thrown out there as a red herring. The reds? Could they mean change? A prediction of weather patterns? A warning? The possibilities are endless.

Oh, the peppermints, though, surely they represent something great to come. Something big. That’s why they’re my favorite. They hint at what could be out there, giving us a message if only we’d listen and be able to interpret it. I wonder if they hold a greater meaning to the secret of The Mystery Candy.

Where’s my Willy Wonka-fied Robert Langdon when I need one?

Happy minty holidays to all. Keep watching the ground.

Stay tuned...

Friday, December 18, 2009

What the heck is Mystery Candy??



Bet you're wondering that, aren't you? 

You're not alone:

I don't get it.

What's this candy thing all about?

I'm so confused.

Tell me the story!

Have you guys heard about this mystery candy?


Sit back, because you're in the right spot.

It all started over a year ago.

While waiting one morning at my regular bus stop, I noticed a few pieces of candy on the ground.  Like most urban dwellers, litter on the ground, in whatever form, is rarely cause for alarm.  So, I didn't think anything of it until the next day when the candy was gone and new pieces had magically appeared.  This ritual continued, off and on, for weeks.  My clever brain determined that there was a pattern forming and much more to this story than the average litter on the street corner.  It made my mornings a little sweeter.

On my return home at night, I started to take note whether or not the candy remained.  Most often, it disappeared.  Even on late, late night return trips home, it was the same story.  I wanted to unwrap the pattern.  No, I was determined to unwrap the pattern.  Under no claim of scientific method and weeks of research, I found that the old candy was replaced somewhere between 4 AM and 7:30 AM. 

To the casual observer, there's nothing particularly special about the candy.  It's a typical wrapped hard candy, like Brach's (or other brand).  Reds, yellows, purples, oranges, and so on paint the pavement, different ones on different days.  Some days it's all one color, while on others it's a mix. I've even seen exotic flavors like starlight mints.  For the gastro-curious, no, I haven't eaten a single bite!

So what's the big deal?

In a flurry of social media savvy, I spread word of the candy and generated curiosity and a bit of a buzz.  A social sugar buzz, even.  Many mystery candy enthusiasts have offered to hold a late night stakeout in order to learn the candy's origin.  The thing is, I don't know if I even really want to know the real story. 

The mystery is half the fun.

Stay tuned...

Twitter / MamaKChi