The exploding...thick skinned melon.

I took this photo on a rainy day as I poked around the house trying to feel inspired. This photo makes me think of two things. Strangely enough, it reminds me of two of my brothers that happen to have birthdays two days apart this week. Happy Birthday boys! Thick skinned lines run through the outer part of the melon, but when you cut into it, it is soft and sweet. These boys are the picture of thick skin. It has always amazed me how tough and resilient they can be despite the obstacle or situation while at the same time, they are sensitive and caring beyond measure. I bet they never thought they would be compared to a cantaloupe. But I have them to thank for teaching me how to be tougher and more thick skinned myself. OK now to switch gears. Just this morning I read an article on yahoo about exploding melons in China. Sure enough, farmers got a little to overzealous adding forchlorfenuron, a growth accelerator, and now have mine fields of exploding watermelons. After laughing at the thought, I realized that the reality of the situation is appalling. While the Chinese may have a leg up on us in virtually everything these days, they are systematically poisoning their population. Just Google exploding melons, and you too will appreciate the grown in the USA label. The FDA as an organization is no Boyscout, but really, food that explodes? I hope Al- Qaeda doesn’t read the same article. The western world would be in trouble. As you sit and enjoy one of your 5 fruit servings today, realize there is much enjoyed in a thick skinned non-exploding melon.