It just goes to show, you’re never too old to learn.

I just found out a couple of days ago what conkers are. In case you’ve never heard of conkers, people in books set in England will sometimes talk about conkers or playing conkers. I never knew what that was, and it was never germane to the plot, so I just took the general meaning that conkers were a fruit or nut from a tree that kids picked up and played with in some manner.

Then, the other day, I stumbled across the wonderful Liam O’Farrell’s painting of conkers.

Isn’t that gorgeous?

And I was like: THEY’RE BUCKEYES!!

Buckeyes are what we call them in the USA. It’s the translation of an Indian name, because they thought the nut looked like the eye of a male deer. Ohio is nicknamed “the Buckeye State” mostly because of all the horse chestnut trees it used to have. Here’s a site with short explanations of all the states’ nicknames. You’re welcome.

And here’s an article about conkers: how to play it and how to cheat. You’re welcome, again.

But today is food day on the blog, so here’s the point of this whole exercise: Although they don’t have conker candy in England, we DO have buckeye candy in America. My mother hates it because she is NOT a fan of peanut butter; I, on the other hand, dote upon it, so buckeyes are one of my favorites. Behold:

And once more, you’re welcome.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character makes something edible that looks like something inedible.

MA