Written by Whenever our family would gather in the summer when I was growing up, there would usually be a giant watermelon or two present as well. Unlike many of the watermelons you find today, these would be full of seeds. Seed spitting became part of the fun and often, cousins would have contests to see who could spit them the farthest. Looking back, this seems a bit uncivilized, but it was really quite fun. Today, most of the watermelons purchased are seedless, kind of like a mule, but in a melon form. I’ve heard some people say they don’t taste as good, but in truth, their composition actually gives them a better flavor. But it’s hard to taste the improvement when a piece of your childhood disappears. It’s really the flavor of nostalgia that’s missed, even when the outcome is actually an improvement. And with nothing to spit across a field, it certainly does take quite a bit of the fun away.
There are so many foods today that I no longer eat, many simply because I now realize they are mostly chemicals held together by traces of food. And others, because they are simply no longer on the market at all. But the memories of enjoying those foods is still a wonderful thing. I often travel back to childhood when I write these posts, because I love taking a moment to remember all the things that brought me to where I am today. The beginning of a journey is as interesting to me as the grand conclusion. And thankfully, since I’m stayed away from the aforementioned foods, the conclusion in my own journey hopefully won’t be coming any time soon. And, indeed, I’m making new memories each day, but it will likely be years from now before I begin to really tell those stories. I’m too busy living in the moment and that’s a wonderful thing as well.
As we come to the close of another weekend, I hope you’ve all had a fantastic one. Filled with the many wonderful things that you currently enjoy most. I’ve put a countdown on my site showing the time until the next World Watercolor Month and I’m getting so exciting for it to begin! And yes, lots still to do and prepare before then as well. I hope you’ll all join me again this year and if you’re a blogger, please consider making a mention of it in a post. It really helps to keep the energy and enthusiasm going! Beyond the big challenge of daily painting, it’s really just about a simple hashtag of #WorldWatercolorMonth and a sincere hope that people will consider a donation to The Dreaming Zebra Foundation. In truth, it’s a rather simple event, but often it’s the simplest things in life that make the best memories. Like those hot summer days, when nothing was more fun than gathering together and laughing while spitting watermelon seeds.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Rose, Azo Orange, Azo Green, Permanent Green Pale, and Ultramarine Blue. Alvin Draft-Matic Mechanical Pencil in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
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Your doodle is fantastic, and your post brought back some of my summertime memories as well. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Laura! 😃💕 Aww yay! So happy this brought back great memories!
That looks good enough to eat!!
Dwight
Thanks so much, Dwight! Glad ya liked it! 😃💕
Such a tempting watermelon, Charlie, the perfect choice for a scorcher like today! And I can only envy your childhood being full of such delightfully uncouth pastimes, since I never got to partake in such a contest. Shame!
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 That’s a criminal shame… I’m sure you’d be brilliant at watermelon spitting. You should try it one day! hehe
Thanks for this wonderful painting Charlie, one of my all time fave things to eat 😊
Mine too! So glad you liked it, Phil! Thanks! 😃💕
I enjoy seeing your sketches as well as reading your memories as they bring back many of my own. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Leada! 😃💕 i’m so thrilled to hear my stories and sketches bring back memories!
“The flavor of nostalgia that is missed” – what an insightful statement, Charlie. You are absolutely right. And you’ve recreated the wonderful watermelons of childhood. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I’m always pleased when something I ramble strikes a cord. I’m often never sure if what I’m writing is even making sense as I type. Thank my friend!
Such fun and a great doodlewash, as always! I was never allowed to spit the watermelon seeds because my mom said it wasn’t ladylike. Now I buy seedless watermelons. Maybe next time I will buy a seeded variety and spit each and every seed. Ha, I probably won’t but it is fun to think about! 🍉 🍉 🍉
Thanks, Carol!! 😃💕 I say buy one and spit away!! Nows your time! Lol Yeah… I don’t think it’s near as fun as an adult though. Won’t stop me from trying it, of course.
Maybe I will impress my neighbors with my spitting skills 😂. Have a terrific weekend, sweet Charlie!
haha! DO it!! Have a great weekend as well! 😃