Popsicles are fun and delicious and a reminder of the fun, free-spirited summer days which were so relaxing and innocent.
When I think of a popsicle (and its delicious relative, the creamsicle) it brings me back to my youth and a nostalgic feeling of great enjoyment and satisfaction dominates my thoughts.
I often ask myself, why do these amazing frozen treats taste differently these days? What is it that makes the popsicle/creamsicle experience so different and simply not as flavorful as the ones consumed in my youth?
I think the answer could be illustrated with the following observation. In the 1987 World Series, Kent Hrbek (not a typo) hit a grand slam in game 6. He was asked what it was like circling the bases knowing that he was among the few men in history to hit a World Series grand slam. Essentially, his answer was: I hit that same home run 1,000 times before in my backyard and every one of them was better than this one. He was pointing out how the imaginary dreamlike experience of our youth can even surpass the great measure of satisfaction that we achieve with the real thing in adulthood.
So, maybe the popsicle is the same or even better in taste and flavor in 2024, but for me, the frozen treat of yesteryear simply has a whole host of accompanying “ingredients” that make the memories even tastier.
