Open Thread

Open Thread Update: Guilty Pleasures

By Virge Friday, September 9, 2022 11 Comments Share This:

The last Open Thread about Guilty Pleasures would be a favorite with the American Dairy Council, because three respondents- CLT, Dr. Jeanne and Beatrice, singled out a frozen dairy treat like ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Ice cream didn’t get all the love, though.

I have a weakness for caramel corn and especially caramel corn nuggets. Guilty only cause I lost weight and this sure won’t help me maintain it!- Gemma S

I like reader CLT’s take on her favorite treat, an “industrial strength bowl of gelato once a week.”

When we say guilty pleasure it means something we think we shouldn’t do or something we think other people will disapprove of. Surely as older people we shouldn’t feel bad about our choices or what other people think? – CLT

Dr. Jeanne also confessed to a jones for YouTube videos…and she has her priorities right.

Pausing to watch a hummingbird greet a sunflower, even if it makes me late for an appointment. – Dr. Jeanne

Not everyone was an ice cream fan, though, Besides Crinkle Cut potato chips, reader Kate was focused on more high minded pursuits.

Other than food, usually a book I really want., most often a Poetry collection – Kate.

And kudos to reader Inez, who managed to combine a Guilty Pleasure post with a bit of history about a Black Slave who created a landmark bourbon – read the story in the comments.

We’ll keep the comments open for a while so feel free to add your own! Original post is below for your reference.

Original Post

Even with my tattoo (story here) I still need a little extra something sometimes to keep me moving forward. Or I’ve had a very long day. Sometimes you just need a treat.

That’s when its time for a guilty pleasure…a little “bonbon” you gift yourself just for fun but not necessarily something you want to brag about, cause it might be a little…embarassing.

For some, it’s eating a container of Cookies and Cream ice cream in one go. For others, it’s spending cash that you really shouldn’t on a treat…like a monthly massage. You feel a little weird about it (it’s a guilty pleasure, not the regular kind, after all!)…but it doesn’t stop you.

For me, it’s comic books and movies based on comic book characters. I was a real fangirl when I was younger, with a substantial collection of Marvel comics that would have allowed me to retire by now if my mom hadn’t tossed them out. I”m pushing 70, and still read ’em, buy ’em, go to the movies, visit the bulletin boards. Comics got me through some bad times when I was a kid (read about it here) and they still do.

But what about you? What’s your guilty pleasure? Let us know in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.

COMMENTS

11 responses to “Open Thread Update: Guilty Pleasures”

Marie Alleman:

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 11:30am

I have a few but sitting in a movie theater with a bucket of popcorn on my lap getting lost in a good movie!

Im also a fan of coffee flavored oreos!!

Reply to Marie Alleman
cheryl:

Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 6:27pm

My guilty pleasure is staying up late and binge watching a series or movies in bed.

Reply to cheryl
Enid:

Monday, September 12, 2022 at 12:49pm

My guilty pleasure is a black and white cookie. I only enjoy the ones sold in Greenpoint Brooklyn. So Delicious! So once in a while that’s what get for $1.95.
Yummy!

Reply to Enid
Harriett Cohen:

Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 2:09pm

I have a weakness for caramel corn and especially caramel corn nuggets. Once in awhile as it’s loaded with sugar I indulge . My friend bought me Fly Creek Crunchies from upstate NY. As long as it’s a once in awhile treat! Guilty only cause I lost weight and this sure won’t help me maintain it!

Reply to Harriett Cohen
CLT:

Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 12:53am

When we say guilty pleasure it means something we think we shouldn’t do or something we think other people will disapprove of. Surely as older people we shouldn’t feel bad about our choices or what other people think? I know I am a bit secretive about my “treat” , which is an industrial strength bowl of gelato once a week, but I also know I shouldn’t be.

Reply to CLT
Dr. Jeanne:

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 7:33pm

A guilty pleasure? Ice cream, two scoops, after dinner once a week.

Another guilty pleasure? YouTube for music, spiritual inspiration, and wickedly funny political commentary from Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Trevor Noah.

Pausing to watch a hummingbird greet a sunflower, even if it makes me late for an appointment.

Reply to Dr. Jeanne
Beatrice:

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 6:23pm

My local Stew Leonard’s has low fat chocolate fro’ yo’ in a cone with chocolate sprinkles for under $4. Outdoor picnic tables overlook the local small airport so I can watch some take offs and landings while cooling off with my summer treat.

Reply to Beatrice
Kate:

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 5:32pm

In the food arena, Crinkle Cut potato chips or white raisins, a drive through coffee drink. Other than food, usually a book I really want., most often a Poetry collection.

Reply to Kate
Inez Robinson Turpin:

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 5:31pm

A story was published some time ago about a Black Slave who worked with the family of “Jack Daniels” whose name was Nathan (Nearest) Green. Not only did he work for the family he taught them how to distill the best bourbon in Kentucky. My friends and I have tried this bourbon called respectfully called “Uncle Nearest” and we indulge ourselves with this velvet smooth whiskey at our weekly meet and greet luncheons. Do we feel guilty? Not at all, we get the best feeling ever!

Reply to Inez Robinson Turpin
1. Gemma Saperstein:
  
  Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 11:08am
  
  Hello Inez: Would you be kind enough to share how or where I can purchase this smooth bourbon. I’ve only had a Scottish bourbon (Buchanan)that so far has been unmatched, and would love to try this, if possible.
  
  Reply to Gemma Saperstein
  1. senior planet:
    
    Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at 10:50am
    
    Hi there, if you Google “Uncle Nearest bourbon” you’ll get links on where to buy it online or find a store near you.