I was bound to POP eventually; I just didn't know I'd get so CORNy on a Monday night.

I will always associate Sunday nights with a bowl of popcorn while watching the Waltons. My mom never buttered popcorn because she worked at the Hamilton Theater and to this day, buttered popcorn makes her feel sick.

As we go older, and a microwave, it was easy to nuke a bag as we watched Roseanne, The Cosby's, or Kate and Allie. My mom, who watched Dallas and Knot's Landing could even be heard popping corn after we went to bed.

I also remember when Grandma Vera popped her corn in Sherburne, as her silver bowls were tinier than my mothers and the pot she used to pop the corn was not as large.

When I went to Binghamton, and in my senior year began to tutor in an adult education program, I made popcorn one night on a stove. A woman said, "I didn't know you could make popcorn without a microwave."

Last night, I came home, ran, looked in the fridge and said, "Ugh." It was already dark, it's cold, and I didn't want to go out to the store. I did, however, have a container of strawberries and horseradish cheese. I ate that, but was still hungry. I thought, "Man. I am going to do it. I'm making popcorn."

And I did. Technically, corn is off limits on this eating regime I'm on, but I walked on the wild side last night and ate a bowl (with salt). Okay, truth: I licked the bowl as if I was a deer treated to a salt lick.

I think popcorn will always be comfort food that makes me feel young and happy. It's not very filling and I'm sure somewhat pointless to eat, but it's delicious, easy, and perfect for those nights when there's nothing else to eat.