As a kid there almost always was a dessert after dinner – usually after lunch, as well. Frequently, Mom served chocolate pudding, the kind that was cooked and had a delicious, darker top layer you could peel off and eat. The Duggan’s bakery truck came around and beeped. We always bought their cupcakes with very thick chocolate, vanilla and strawberry icing. I felt guilty there was so much icing and so little cake. Grandma used to bring seven-layer cake and chocolate truffles. Then there were the birthday cakes. None of this whipped cream stuff. It was all pure butter cream – and boy, was it sweet!

Now, as an adult, my dessert cravings have diminished. Except for a few times – like Tuesdays. That’s when Mom and I go out for lunch together. I am happy when mom reminds me, “What would you like for dessert”? Usually we choose ice cream. YUM. And times like today, when the restaurant is part of the bakery, and vice-versa. Today I spent five minutes looking at all the cakes. I told the bakery lady, “I really would like something sweet. I don’t care for the whipped cream frostings. I like butter cream frosting.” The lady chose a small square of cake she thought I would like. It looked good. But it didn’t taste that way. “Too much like whipped cream,” I told her as I returned the cake – less one bite.

My daughter’s friend’s sister bakes delicious cakes as a hobby. I told her that when I win the lottery I would set her up in business. I figure that way I can eat all I want.

My favorite cake? Alligator cake. Not just any alligator cake but the kind with pecans and caramel frosting.

Our house rule is No Sweets in the House. The truth is that I eat fairly healthy. I really enjoy making my own fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt with hand-crushed fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and cherries. The alligator cake? That’s what I buy to bring the people who invite us for dinner.

About that No Sweets in the House rule –no one said anything about the garage. That’s where I keep my stash of cookies. Just in case I need a quick sweet fix. In truth, I have thrown out many sandwich bags of uneaten cookies. Either I forgot about my stash or I really have gone more healthy. High-fibre popcorn, anyone?

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.