Thursday, 09 August 2012
Watermelon
By Mary B Summerlin who keeps a photostream at Flickr
Long ago - when I was a little girl, I remember sitting in the backyard on a picnic table eating watermelon. I was scantily dressed and watermelon juice was running down my face, arms, clothes and belly. It was such a special time that when I think about it today my mouth waters.
As the years went by, watermelon was always in my life. When I went home to the farm in the summer, I always looked forward to watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes and corn fresh from the field. There were other vegetables and fruits but those were the special ones.
Every summer when I left, I'd always come back with watermelons and other fruits and vegetables. But watermelon was taken for granted for many years and I paid it no special attention.
Now, as a senior, I find that I have many ailments that require a special diet. They took away my Diet Pepsi. I’ve been drinking that since high school. Next they took away my very favorite thing in the world – ice cream.
Oh it is delicious. Growing up, we often churned ice cream and added fresh peaches, strawberries or whatever fruit we had on hand. Usually there was some occasion and extra family or friends were there. Oh my, I love thinking about those memories.
So I began casting about for a special treat, something to take the place of the old favorites. I saw watermelon in the grocery store and I knew immediately that I had found my new favorite! Watermelon – cold, wet, sweet and oh so good.
Now, I really debated about putting this down on paper because I’m sure it doesn’t fit with some diet. I’m taking the risk and enjoying watermelon with no guilt.
[INVITATION: All elders, 50 and older, are welcome to submit stories for this blog. They can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, etc. Please read instructions for submitting.]
Posted by Ronni Bennett at 05:30 AM | Permalink | Email this post
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Mary,
As soon as I started to read your story my mouth started to water.
I felt like Pavlov's dog when you mentioned watermelon.
I can't write any more. I have to go now and buy a giant watermelon.....
Posted by: Nancy | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 06:11 AM
I completely understand.
Posted by: Mary B Summerlin | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 06:21 AM
Mary, I can't imagine that any caring doctor would take you off watermelon. Just don't choke on a seed. I need you around.
Posted by: Marcia Mayo | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 06:49 AM
Watermelon is healthy. Good source
of vitamins A and C and lycopene.
Enjoy! Enjoy!
Posted by: Estelle D | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 07:20 AM
Mary too enjoyed watermelon as a kid. I remember in the summer we sat on the open porch, feet dangling in the cold bay and ate watermelon and spit the seeds as far as we could in the water. Then carefully we had to take the rinds to the kitchen so eventually my mother could make watermelon pickles. During those depression days nothing was thrown out. Enjoy your watermelon now.
Posted by: Johna Ferguson | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 07:42 AM
Ah yes, the happy memories of favorite foods. Watermelon is always associated with picnics in my memory. A summer picnic without a watermelon just wasn't a picnic.
I doubt that there is a person living who doesn't love watermelon.
Posted by: Darlene | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 08:12 AM
What's summer without watermelon? I'd like to say more, but there's a beautiful ripe watermelon in the fridge just waiting to be eaten. Thanks for reminding me.
Posted by: Claire Jean | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 08:22 AM
Johna, my favorite kind of preserves is watermelon--but not the heavily vinegared kind one finds nowadays in stores--sometimes even called pickles. My mother's and grandmother's recipe was sweeter--although I do believe any preserved watermelon is better than NO watermelon preserves. Thanks, Mary, for the reminder.
Posted by: Lyn Burnstine | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 08:48 AM
I love it as much as you; I always buy a slice when I go to the grocery. If I bought a whole one, I'd eat it in two days and bloat like a frog. :)
Posted by: Brenda Berretta | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 08:50 AM
Mary, There should be no guilt about eating watermelon. Although it is nice and sweet, they don't call it "water" melon for nothing. What harm can come from eating/ drinking all that sweet water?
I really enjoyed this story.
Posted by: Madeleine Kolb | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 09:29 AM
P.S. from Madeleine
I just checked out Mary's photo-stream on Flickr. She has so many terrific nature shots: flowers, birds, deer, squirrels, and other living things. I think you'd all enjoy taking a look.
Posted by: Madeleine Kolb | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 09:37 AM
I feel like we've just had a summer picnic together and watermelon was the featured guest. Thank you for coming and sharing your thoughts and memories.
Posted by: Mary B Summerlin | Thursday, 09 August 2012 at 01:26 PM
We have photographs of my grandpa feeding each grandchild and great grandchild watermelon as toddlers. It was a ritual of passage. I grew up with the delicacy. My spouse does not like watermelon, and as wonderful a man as he is, I believe there is something a bit off about anyone who doesn't like watermelon.
Posted by: granny annie | Friday, 10 August 2012 at 04:30 AM
LOL. I love the watermelon reflections and Granny Annie's idea that there's something off about someone who doesn't like watermelon. That's a better job interview question than any I can think of!
Posted by: wearmanyhats | Friday, 10 August 2012 at 05:10 AM