Which melon to try today?

Today I am challenged to understand...melons. We were given the most delicious melon last weekend by a friend. She picked up a Jerusalem melon at a farmer's stand somewhere a few hours away from here. It was amazing. I am not too particular about melons, but this one, I am speechless. It's flesh was white, or creamish colored. Not pink or orange like a watermelon or cantaloupe. We had it for dessert for several nights until it was all gone:(.

FYI: Jerusalem Melon: an ordinary Egyptian melon, the sweet, juicy and succulent flesh of which is much valued. It possesses the property of quenching thirst. Its seeds are used for making sedative and tranquillising drinks. Its flesh is used in the manufacture of excellent ices, bombes, etc. It is eaten like melon.

So today, at the the HEM store, (Or HEB or HEE, or some store that started with an H. It was very large, very busy, and the shelves were being stocked at 4:00pm on a Saturday. I don't know what to think about that.) I tried to find a Jerusalem melon. I found watermelons, muskmelons, white watermelons, cantaloupe, and then this mystery melon that I purchased. I am so bummed I don't remember the name of it. With hope and anticipation, I cut the melon open. To my discontent, the melon was orange, just like a cantaloupe. Evidently, cantaloupe is not my husband's favorite melon. So, his inclination was to pass. But, I encouraged him, thinking, "Maybe, just maybe, this melon will be surprisingly amazing like the Jerusalem melon." It was not. Colin said it tasted like a pumpkin and cantaloupe combined. I rather liked it. It was no Jerusalem melon, but it wasn't bad.

Now, as I think about it, I am wondering what I was thinking. Why would I think that this melon, which was not a Jerusalem melon, would taste, look, or in anyway resemble the Jerusalem melon. Wishful thinking, I guess. I was hoping that I would find the same delicious experience with this distant cousin of the melon family. I still liked the melon, but, it was just not the same.

Expectations get me every time. I was expecting one thing, and I got another. So much of life is like that. There should be no surprise in the reality that I didn't get what I expected. When handed the delicious bowl of Jerusalem melon, we all tasted it with hesitation and caution. "It doesn't look like any melon I have ever tasted before." "I am not even a big fan of melons in general." To our great surprise and delight, our expectations were exceeded. What a relief. What an unexpected gift. Life is all fine and good when expectations are exceeded.

But, often times, expectations are met, or rather, are not met or exceeded. Situations, circumstances, and yes, melons, result with far less than we expect or desire. This begs the question, do you continue to explore the unknown world of melons, even knowing that you may be disappointed? Of course! Not! You have to keep exploring, right. There are so many different types of melons. And sure, you may run across one that you love, but the next may be a dismal failure. But, you have to keep trying new melons. Don't give up, don't change fruits, don't quit.

(OK, I have to admit, the choice of subject matter seems a little...odd. Because the term "melon" can sometimes refer to something other than the fruit, this might have some unintentional connotations. Super sorry. Didn't mean to take it there if you weren't thinking that. But, if you were, that's not what I mean. I am strictly referring to the fruit group of melons. Many of you might not have realized there are so many different types, sizes, shapes, qualities, colors, and tastes that encompass the "melon" family. I didn't either. Now get your head out of the gutter, and get out there, and try some melons.)