Writer Wednesday - What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?

Hocus Pocus and All That 

with Maureen L. Bonatch 

What Are Your Guilty Pleasures?

This topic was more challenging than I anticipated, so either I don’t consider my little vices guilty pleasures—or I don’t have enough. So I’ll share what I’ve got, and perhaps you can give me some suggestions of yours so I can add more to my list. Because what’s life without a little guilty pleasure? 

1. Coffee—enough said 

“Back in the day,” I used to ponder some people’s need for the decadent beverage, but now I think my blood is ¾ of the brew. Dunkin Donuts fuels my day better than any drill sergeant and helps me cross off my to-do list. I take mine hot, black, and make it at home to avoid the other evil treats Dunkin Donuts cooks up to threaten my waistline. (I.e.: See #2 & the reason I love #4) 

2. Are you sweet enough? 

I’m pretty sure I don’t have a sweet tooth; I have a full set of sweet teeth! Chocolate, cakes, and cookies tempt and taunt me, hence why I try not to keep much of it in my house so the sugary temptations don’t whisper their sweet nothings. I can’t rest knowing there are Little Debbie snack cakes lurking in the cupboard.

3. The Next Siskel & Ebert 

Some of my fondest memories of my youth include going to the movies and sneaking in homemade snacks. (Refer #2) Mom used to make a delicious mix of popcorn, chips, or pretzels, mixing up a party mix long before the stores started bagging it for profit. I used to think becoming a movie critic would be the best job—getting paid to watch and dissect the stories on the big screen. Because I’m not sure, my family and friends appreciate my critique. 

4. Comfy clothes 

Girls these days don’t know how good they have it. With choices of yoga pants, sweat pants, and elastic built into every pair of jeans, they’re never forced to cram into a pair of freshly washed jeans and perform squats to revive their circulation. When stirrup pants came into fashion in the 1980s, I rejoiced. It’s part of the reason I adored the decade—finally, something comfortable to wear. 

5. A Melody for My Mood 

Besides being regulated by my daily caffeine infusion, music transforms my productivity. Unless I’m writing, I have music on all the time. It energizes me to get chores done, helps me wind down, has me dancing by myself, or contributes to my procrastination when I have to hear just a little more of my favorite song. 

6. Feed the Machine 

Take it from someone who’s been on a “diet” since about age thirteen and spent six weeks with my mouth wired shut after jaw surgery in my early twenties—food is awesome. I love trying out new dishes and new restaurants to tickle my taste buds. There’s nothing better than a delicious meal and a nice glass of—see #7. 

7. Red, Red, Wine 

My mind feels like it’s going full speed most of the day (possibly the result of guilty pleasure #1). So once the evening rolls around, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a glass of red wine to wind down, especially if it’s paired with a movie (See #3). 

What are you Guilty Pleasures? 

*Blog previously published on www.maureenbonatch.com 

© 2023 Maureen Bonatch All Rights Reserved 

Maureen Bonatch believes music can be paired with every mood, laughter is contagious, and caffeine and wine are essential for survival. When she’s not doing the bidding of a feisty Shih Tzu, she’s a mom to twin daughters, exploring the beautiful woods of PA with her hubby and dancing as much as possible. She writes paranormal cozy mysteries as M.L. Bonatch, paranormal romance and other genres as Maureen Bonatch, and her latest urban fantasy will be as Amber Wrath. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/