Without Fork or Spoon

Internet photo

On Saturday we drove north to the town of Chiefland (population 2,080) to enjoy their annual Water Melon Festival. I hear there is another event in the area next weekend, also featuring the delicious water melon as the theme. So that must be "a thing" and I'm glad we are here to enjoy it.

the larger ones lined up for auction

As Gary said when he suggested we go, "it's good blog fodder." Yes. 

live music

After parking our truck, the first thing to interest me was the open pavilion with huge water melons lined up, waiting to be auctioned. I heard the largest one in this picture weighed 172 pounds.

a local church supplied free slices

Just steps from the pavilion was a tent shading a table full of freshly-sliced water melon, free for the taking. (there wasn't even a donation bucket) Just like everybody else, we helped ourselves and then stepped back and began to eat it, leaning over in an effort to not drip on our clothes. (more about this in a later paragraph) 

big and loud

The next thing that grabbed our attention was what I'll call a "swamp buggy" with giant tires and a LOUD engine. For a price one could ride as the driver drove a fast circuit for several minutes, around and around.

parade float with flags

At least 100 vendors' tents were lined up in rows, creating an outdoor shopping district. (not pictured) We strolled slowly past them all, dodging people, strollers, and the occasional leashed dog. I enjoyed looking but didn't see anything I couldn't live without.

farm vehicles for parade floats

After the "window shopping" we found a nice place along the parade route. Gary hiked back to our truck to get our lawn chairs while I held our spot under the shade of a huge oak tree and struck up conversation with a pleasant couple. Turns out they have lived in the area for many years and now in retirement, he enjoys participating in historic reenactments. People are interesting when you draw them out in conversations.

the arts and crafts club float

Gary returned and we settled into our chairs for the parade. There were no school bands or dance teams but some floats and many vehicles of all shapes and sizes with signs advertising local businesses. 

the reason for celebration -- a wagonload of watermelons

Hard candy was tossed out of the windows and children scurried out quickly from the curbs to grab what they could.

some of the royalty of the day

There was royalty! The Queen of Water Melons, the Queen of this town, the princess of that town, the teen queen, the toddler queen, even the baby princess. There were a couple of boy princes, too. They rode past us on cars, in trucks, wagons, anything with wheels as they waved at us. Their tiaras sparkled in the hot summer sun.

classic vehicles on parade

The vehicles passed us quickly as I tried to dodge people to take these pictures. But you get the idea. 

getting early to the lunch line

Gary has been to more of this type of celebration than me, so he knew we should leave the parade before its end to order our lunch from one of the many food trucks, avoiding the crowds. I stood aside with our folded lawn chairs and then we found a shady spot near the pavilion to enjoy our burgers and fries. 

introduction of royalty

As we ate our lunch, there was a program on the stage. The parade had ended and so the royalty was introduced to the crowd. Later they were coerced into a water melon eating contest -- who could eat their slice the fastest.  

Without Fork or Spoon

Watching that contest inspired Gary to want more, so he sent me back over to the Baptist's table to get us each another slice. They appeared to have an unlimited supply!

the guy who copes well without fork or spoon

This was a pleasant adventure on a hot summer day. It felt sort of like being in Hallmark or Disney movie with all ages in attendance, lots of family-friendly events, and a cheerful atmosphere. 

salt, anyone?

Getting back to my promise to address the eating of water melon.... I have spent the majority of my life living in big cities, and whether that has anything to do with it or not, I'll just say it: I've never eaten water melon without a fork or a spoon. 

When it became clear that the lack of [my essential] utensils was the norm, I just leaned forward and bit into it, hoping I wouldn't make a mess of things and embarrass myself.

At least I was smart enough to choose a wedge-shaped piece (as opposed to a half-moon slice). That helped. Yes, even with leaning over (trying to avoid dripping juice on my shoes), some of the sweet liquid ran onto my forearm. But another trick acquired in this experience was to uncap my water bottle so I could drizzle water onto my skin and then use a napkin to finish up the bath.

So why do I bring this up, revealing my lack of experience and perhaps bringing on some thoughts of ridicule from my more seasoned, water melon-eating readers? 

I saw a life lesson in it. We all face circumstances from time to time where we feel at a loss as to how to cope. Either we are without our usual implements or we are flat out clueless how to respond to what's been forced upon us. 

While I did not resort to prayer with the water melon situation, I've definitely encountered conundrums where a ready solution was not at hand. We've all been there. It's a fact of life.

I am reminded of the Old Testament King Jehoshaphat when they were faced with the approach of a frightening enemy army. This king did what we all should do when we are at the end of ourselves, when disaster seems to be a high probability: tell the Lord and expect Him to answer. 

II Chronicles 20:12

This lesson has been taught to me all of my life and yet there are times when I still need to be reminded. My water melon experience seems a silly illustration and yet it serves to get my head and my spirit back where it should be when life hands me the hard puzzles. 

Until next time, grace and peace.

Marcus Stanley
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