Watermulling

First let me remind you to always check the Thurvey for the week which follows this post. It is a special Independence Day edition. Express yourself.

I just ate a watermelon.

There are certain experiences that in my mind are perfect. Watermelon is one of those experiences. Anticipation is the first attraction. Will it be a good one? Not ripe, too ripe? There is the simple, exterior beauty of the melon itself, each one unique; the smooth green skin with infinite variations of darker green patterns, or no patterns at all.

Then comes the moment when the knife pierces the rind and you hear the crack as it begins to split open and the first hint of light green and then red appear Too impatient to finish cutting with the knife you reach with both hands to pry the halves apart until the full feast is spread before you.

The eating of the watermelon offers great opportunity for personal expression. Before it is eaten the decision must be made regarding how it will be cut into smaller portions, or if it will be cut any further at all.

This decision has great social implications. A large melon laid open into only two halves brings people close together. Hurts can be healed. Deals can be closed. Decisions can be made . . .over a watermelon split into halves. But it can be messy. And so can the watermelon.

When less intimacy is better, the melon can be quartered and eighthed. Or, if one is in a liberal mood, rather than cutting the melon from end to end, one can cut it across the grain and create full, half, or quarter moon pieces by slicing it off like salami.

The possibilities are endless and we haven't even started eating.

But not yet. The proper utensil must be chosen. It is acceptable, if the melon is sitting in the driveway or on the tailgate of a pickup or kitchen counter or other like place to simply eat the melon with the knife it is opened with. This can be a matter of contention if there are more than a couple of people eating. On the other hand, this method maximizes the chance for serious, meaningful discussion over open halves as discussed previously. It promotes civilized discourse. When one person is using the knife to cut and eat a chunk, the other is free to express his or her opinion. When the knife changes hands, the roles reverse. World piece.

There is no set convention otherwise. Some prefer knives, some prefer spoons, a very few may prefer forks. I am a knife man myself.

Then there is the method of eating the meat of a watermelon. Some pick as many seeds out as they can before they start eating anything. Some pick them out as they go. Others swallow the seeds, but as we all know, they run the risk of a vine growing out of their navel.

Some people eat chaotically, with no rhyme or reason. These tend to be the spoon users. The knife eaters tend to plan the excavation of melon in three dimensions, creating cuts carefully to maximize chunk size and seed removal.

And then there are times when it is appropriate just to stick your face down into the watermelon and eat till it's gone.

There are a few other experiences in life that in my mind are perfect.

But none are as perfectly simple.

.