Donut Love

I had about 30 minutes to kill yesterday morning, between dropping Elena off at school and taking Eli into his room at school.  It seemed like a good morning to hit up White House Donuts in Westfield.  You'd miss it if you weren't looking for it.  It's tucked into a non-descript row of shops that have been in Westfield as long as I can remember.  It's a teeny place, owned and operated by a father-son team.  I duck in there once every couple of weeks, when I haven't had a chance to get caffeinated before I head off to school.  I don't know what they're doing with that Bunn coffee pot, but it's a darn good cuppa Joe.  Maybe it's the fact that I can get a giant cup of coffee for $1.70. 

I love that when you walk in they always greet you heartily.  I love that there are only about a dozen or so choices of donuts, and when they're gone, they're gone.  I love that the donuts are identified by hand-labeled cards.  I love that they make pumpkin cake donuts in the fall.  I love that when I look like I have my hands full they carry my little paper sack of donuts to the car for me.  I love that my grand total for 2 donuts and a bottomless cup of coffee was $2.43.

I love that there's usually the same group of men sitting in the corner, reading the paper and shooting the breeze.  Eli loves them.  I couldn't help but think that if Mother's Day out were run by these guys he'd go every day, all day, willingly.  The talk revolves around sports (more specifically, football and basketball), politics and business.  Here are some of the gems overheard yesterday:

On politics:  "Elmer Fudd could have gotten elected if he'd had spent that much money on a campaign."

On business:  "My sales are in the crapper.  I envy you, Bob.  Don't think you'll be losing too many customers in the mortuary business."

On sports:  "Well, boys, looks like IU (Indiana University) plays Anderson tonight.  (IU is the subject of many a tale of woe around here.  New coach, no-name players, NCAA sanctions)  I think Anderson is gonna give them some trouble." 

"Hell, Larry, Lawrence North High School would give them trouble this year."

At one point the owner was talking to a customer about his concern about the economy, and what it might do to small businesses like his.  I wanted to walk behind the counter, give him a big ol' hug, and tell him that I would drive past 20 Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts to give him my business. 

I love them that much.