I’m back to reading your blog from time to time, since Leslie was home for two weeks and sat on the sofa, amused by your witty comments on all sorts of candy …

As for the horribly inappropriate box of “Camel Balls” from Spain, it simply reminded me of a visitor to our across-street neighbors. He has a set of what’s known as “truck nuts” hanging on the hitch of his beat-up pickup truck. They’re nothing more than a gigantic plastic scrotum swaying in the breeze … I can’t say these are “popular” here in the Midwest, but one does see them from time to time, and I am always amazed at the tastelessness. How do parents explain this to the kiddies as they’re driving down the highway? You know, the “Hey, Mommy, what is that thing on the back of that truck?” question. I foresee similar questions, particularly from little girls, about the candy
“nuts.”

On another subject, I am hopeful that someday you will get to review saltwater taffy from The Goldenrod in York, Maine, a venerable establishment that’s been making taffy for decades and decades. Another neighbor, now 80, is originally from York and, in addition to retaining her Downeast Maine accent, gets regular shipments of The Goldenrod taffy … and sometimes shares a few pieces of this light, fluffy candy with me (if I’ve been good). Something to look into (they’re on the web at http://www.thegoldenrod.com) …