Quick quiz: What is citrullus lanatus? (Hint: it’s a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae; a vine-like flowering plant originating in West Africa.) Answer: See photo above.
In my mind, watermelon is one of life’s simplest pleasures. A name like citrullus lanatus seems way too complicated for such an uncomplicated summertime staple.
Let’s face it, we live in a complex world. Life is complicated. Most of us are overextended – with our attention being diverted into a multitude of directions. While I can multi-task with the best of them, I also understand the value of disconnecting, recharging and simplifying.
Very few things can beat the joy of basking in the sun (with suitable SPF protection, of course); dangling your feet off a dock; diving into the latest beach book; listening to the far-off drone of a neighbor’s lawn mower, etc.
Then we have to we go and complicate matters. Check our email while lounging on the patio. Turn on the news while having a pleasant family meal. Take a selfie instead of taking in the view.
Some of my fondest memories involve my summers growing up on the farm. Farm-to-table dining was real (and without a middle man). My Dad and uncles were really busy – farming then was much more labor intensive than it is today.
And, watermelon seed spitting contests were great fun with my cousins.
I know we tend to romanticize our pasts. Nostalgia has a way of glossing over most of the rough patches. But, I’m issuing a challenge to all of us (including myself) to stop and un-complicate things.
That doesn’t mean we work less – just maybe a little differently. Summer time is “build season” for those of us in the optical fiber business. Like my Dad used to say, “We need to make hay while the sun shines.”
But then at the end of the day, when the cows were milked, rather than gobble down his food, he’d pull his chair up to the supper table and savor the seasonal tastes of a just-picked ear of sweetcorn.
Bring back the best aspects of those simple days of summers gone by. Summer will be over before we know it. Let’s take a moment to enjoy it.
Maybe start with a slice of citrullus lanatus.
By Cheri Beranek
A founding member of Clearfield, Inc., Cheri Beranek is considered a communications visionary. Her extensive leadership experience and unique management style combined deliver outstanding corporate performance.
Under her direction, Clearfield has recorded 10 consecutive years of profitability and posted historic gains in both the market capitalization and shareholder equity. Today, Clearfield is a multinational business with more than 250 employees and over 700 customers.