donut scroll

I went up to the independent bookstore's counter as the two clerks and a customer were avidly discussing donuts: what kinds they like and dislike, what's good and what isn't. They solicited my opinion.

I said, "I'm a heretic. I think the Krispy Kreme is one of the most vile things I've ever tasted."

And they all agreed with me.

Really? I thought everybody loved the Krispy Kreme except me, which is why I phrased myself in that defensive manner.

So where do I get donuts?

I didn't say that I don't, not very often, because sugary treats have to be low on my priority list. But I did say that when I do, I go to little local donut shops that around my home are usually owned by people of Cambodian origin. I specified where I live: mind, that's 20 miles away from the bookstore and the ethnic/cultural mix is quite different there, but they seemed to know what I meant.

What variety? I usually get a chocolate-covered raised, and a chocolate cake if I'm getting two. I don't like jelly, I don't like cream.

What about fritters? the conversation turned. Are they donuts? Probably not, we decided. Are they not croissants? What? No, even less. But they're still good.

The same thing's true of pizza, even music. I should have mentioned bagels. And why, since we were in a bookstore, didn't we bring up genres of fiction? Saying that something doesn't belong in a class isn't a criticism, it's just a matter of proper classification. You have to understand what something is to appreciate it properly. Trying to stuff it in a category where it doesn't belong will only lead to unfair criticism of it for failure to be something it isn't.

I bought my book (nonfiction) and went on my way.