Every year, I make the same resolutions and every year, I fail miserably at sticking to them. Join a gym and start exercising, call my mother more often, curse less often, and, my personal favorite, read at least one book a month (on average). I actually accomplished that last one this year, but I had to read nine books in December to do it.
Will 2010 be any different? I think it will be, mainly because I’ve decided to ditch the tired old resolutions and adopt a new set of promises based solely on watermelon. That’s right, 2010 is going to be a year in which I grow stronger as a watermelon fan and learn to embrace my favorite produce aisle staple as I expand my knowledge and appreciation for America’s favorite fruit. It’s also a year in which I call my mother more often. I really do need to try to do that.
MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
1. LEARN MORE ABOUT WATERMELON
This one should be easy for me. I already learn new stuff about watermelon on a regular basis just in my research for blog entries on What About Watermelon. But I’d like to go beyond what Google and Wikipedia have taught me, and dig deeper. I’d like to learn about the history of the watermelon, the health benefits of watermelon and how different cultures use watermelon. In short, I want to be a walking, talking watermelon encyclopedia!
2. GROW A WATERMELON
I’ve always wanted to grow a watermelon. Ever since I was a little kid and I heard that swallowing seeds would cause a watermelon to grow in your stomach. I was smarter than most people gave me credit for, and I knew that wasn’t true, but it made me want to grow my very own watermelon. It’s not easy to do, but imagine how good a watermelon would taste if you grew it yourself. Of course, I’ll probably give my watermelon a name and then I won’t be able to bring myself to slice into it come harvest time.
3. COOK MORE WITH WATERMELON
I already do this, but I’d like to do it more often. In fact, I’d like to try one new recipe a month (and no, I won’t be making eight different watermelon dishes in December to meet my quota). When I say “cook more,” I’m really referring to any recipe that uses watermelon in a new and interesting way. So bring on the Watermelon Pad Thai, Harvest Watermelon Pie, and Watermelon Rind Pickles (oh yes) – 2010 is going to be one tasty year.
4. ATTEND A WATERMELON FESTIVAL
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’ve never been to a watermelon festival. And in order to call myself a true watermelon fan, I feel like I have to. So this year, I will. There is certainly no shortage of watermelon festivals held throughout the nation each year. The only problem is, most of them are held in the South, and I live in the Northeast. Looks like I’ll be taking a road trip.
5. ENTER A WATERMELON SEED SPITTING CONTEST
Ever since I wrote about Lee Wheelis’ world record seed spitting distance (68 feet!) atthe Luling, Texas “Watermelon Thump” festival, I’ve had it in my head that I would practice spittin’ seeds and then, when I’m good and ready, I would enter a watermelon seed spitting contest. That’s going to happen this year… I just have to find a contest. Perhaps I’ll find one at the watermelon festival I plan to attend. Wish me luck!