Summer is my favorite time of year, not just for the nice warm weather, vacations, and lots of time outside, but for the abundance of scrumptious fruit available to us in California. I’m a fruit freak. If you opened my fridge today, you’d wonder how many people live with me. (That would be zero.) But I can’t help it. I’m a stocker. I stock up on things, just like my mom did.

I enjoy most fruit but some I simply tolerate, like grapefruit and papaya. Also, I can take or leave kiwi. Now don’t get me wrong; I have nothing super negative to say about those fruits, other than they’re boring. To me they’re not in the same ballpark as cherries or watermelon. And while we’re at it, throw in blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

Anyway, I was shopping at Costco, which I do just about weekly since I cook for my mutts. No more kibble and canned food for them; that stuff is horrible. It’s so much healthier to give them real food. I’d say my dogs eat better than I do, and what a difference in their health and energy.

For example, last night they had hamburger, roasted potatoes in butter and olive oil, broccoli, tomatoes, black beans, and tofu. I sprinkle the bottom of their bowls with Zesty Paws 8-in-1 multi vitamin bites and then top their meal with a squirt of Omega-3 fish oil. I, on the other hand, had a vegetarian hot dog and a side of grapes. But I digress…

Back to Costco…I had to load up on cherries since they don’t last long with me. Also, I needed another watermelon so I headed to the array of bins filled with them. I’m going to brag here: I’m a bit of an expert watermelon picker-outer. I’ll tell you why…

My Grandma, Tyna Lou (who we called Nana), grew up on a watermelon farm in Big Spring, Texas. When my sister and I spent occasional weekends with Nana and Grandpa Verne, watermelon was always in their fridge during summer months.

Since seedless watermelon wasn’t a thing back in the 60s, we’d sit on their backyard patio with slices of watermelon resting on plates on our laps. Then, Nana would declare a seed-spitting contest. I always marveled at how far hers would fly. Naturally, she was unbeatable.

Anyway, when I spotted the particular Costco watermelon I wanted, it happened to be in a cardboard bin surrounded by other bins stacked on pallets. I gingerly walked on them until I reached my prize possession. Being able to reach down and lift that ginormous melon was a shocker since I’d pulled a muscle playing tennis that morning and bending over was not pleasant; but I had to have that watermelon.

I’m sure people watching me thought I was a fool carrying that monster back to my cart without falling into the other bins; but I didn’t care. I even stopped to suggest that a couple might want to reconsider the melon they were eyeing (after divulging my Nana grew up on a watermelon farm). I pointed out the one they should pick, and why, and they did!

Needless to say, I credit my ability to choose a sweet, juicy watermelon to the tips Nana gave me 60 years ago. Whenever I eat them, I think of her and our seed spitting contests, so I think of her often. And now I’m going to share her tips with you, the same ones still suggested today.

You’re welcome.

Have a great summer, everyone!