Soapbox

It seems like Spring and Summer are finally coming to Pittsburgh. It was a little touch and go there for a while, but it seems like the fifty degree days are getting fewer and fewer and we're getting closer and closer to upper sixties/seventies. This means that we are also getting closer to one of my most favorite aspects of the summer season . . . the fruit.

That is why I must step on my blogging soapboax and take the time to vent on a topic that is very near and dear to my heart . . . watermelon.

For many years now, watermelon has been my most favorite fruit. I think many would agree with me. It's juicy and sweet and colorful . . . yes, probably one of God's greatest creations in the Garden of Eden. The one issue that many would hold against watermelon, however, is the work that's involved eating it, getting around the seeds. A few years ago, I may have agreed. After seeing the agricultural answer to this problem, however, I must respectfully object.

In theory, the seedless watermelon would appear to be the best of all worlds. In theory, however, communism works.

These two pictures alone present a perfect, Exhibit A to my point. Just look at the seeded watermelon. It's so big that it cannot fit in the picture, filled with seeds, yes, but with so much more of the sweet, juicy goodness to enjoy. The seedless watermelon . . . well, is there any contest? Why the little sliver of the watermelon is almost the same size as the entire thing!

And the only thing you do have in that slice is the gooey stringy white seeds that everyone agrees are the worst kinds of seeds. When you add to that the fact that this new "fruit" costs 2-3 x's more than the traditional watermelon, it's the final straw.

Which brings me to my next point. Can we really even call the seedless watermelon a fruit? By definition it eliminates itself as being a seed-bearing plant. This oxymoron is the eunuch of the fruit kingdom.

And the truly sad part, is that you can't even find the good ole' fashioned watermelons anymore. The children of this generation won't even know that watermelons ever had seeds. They'll look at old patterns of kitchen wallpapers and ask, "Mommy, what are those black things in those watermelons?" Poor, deprived children.

Whew. I feel better now. It's good to spend so much time thinking about these life-changing issues, huh? :-)