Candy Dish Blog

Who’s on the guest list to my party? I have been asked who I would invite to my party if I were eligible to win the candy cane giveaway we are sponsoring. Well, my wife would be a hostess, so she does not count as a guest, but I think I would invite these four people:

• Kurt Vonnegut. He was like a grandfather or dear friend to me during my youth and although I never met him, I miss him dearly. (Thanks for the idea, Carrie!)
• Audrey Hepburn. I think I fell in love with her when I saw her as Eliza Doolittle or perhaps Mary Poppins. She had an interesting life and at one point adopted a fawn she acted with in a movie. That’s about as cool as it gets. Incredible actor and philanthropist.
• Peter O’Toole. I once heard an interview with O’Toole on NPR, in which he said that Shakespeare’s plays were mixed – some great, some horrible and a lot in between. Shakespeare’s sonnets, however, he said, were universally beautiful. He said that he had memorized all of them and even recited a couple when tested by the interviewer. He said the sonnets were the greatest friends he could hope to have – imbued with beauty and ever present. The only downside to O’Toole is that he has a reputation of drinking like a fish, so I might have to buy extra party supplies.
• Thor Heyerdahl. Kon Tiki was one of the most exciting, informational and fun-to-read books I have ever had the pleasure to devour. Like any adventure book, it reflects more than just the external journey but also the internal quest for knowledge. It is beautifully written and would be an inspiration to anyone who is passionate about the human spirit. And I bet Thor likes chocolate. I think Norwegians like their chocolate, as do anthropologists, so Thor would be a double winner.

Who didn’t make the cut?

• Randy Travis. My old friend Jamey said that country music star Randy Travis would probably be a fun guy to go fishing with. Maybe so, and I considered him, but I think this isn’t quite the right venue. Maybe when I get the boat gassed up after the weather warms up. And after I buy a boat. So never, probably.
• Thich Nhat Hanh. A man of peace and love. The serenity he embodies is obvious when you see him or hear him speak. He has a lot of wisdom to share with the world. The downside is that he does not drink and would not feel comfortable with all of us. The extra bonus is that he does not drink, so more martinis for us!
• Andy Griffith. Cool when he was younger but not nearly as cool since he started playing Ben Matlock. Although I do like Matlock’s suits. I am a sucker for seersucker.
• Dick Van Dyke. See Andy Griffith for explanation, except make that Dr, Mark Sloan in “Diagnosis Murder.” That’s like Matlock as a doctor. It’s just not cool and he doesn’t even have nice suits or southern sensibilities and homespun wisdom.

Who would you want at your party? Go to our contest page and let us know. Heck – you might even win some candy!

Chocolate Martini by Unhindered by Talent.