A slice of summer

There are plenty of things I try to appreciate about summers here (sometimes it can be hard to find them!), but watermelon has to be near the top of the list. Part of that is probably because the region where I live is known for growing watermelons, so seeing them at local farmer's markets and roadside stalls always feels like a very literal taste of summer. There's something lovely about eating fruit that has been grown just down the road.

Even without that connection, Japanese watermelon is hard to resist. It's exactly what I want on days like today where it's too hot to feel like eating much else. 

There's a practical bonus too. Watermelon is around 90% water, so it's a delicious way to get some extra fluids while you're sweating your way through summer. Of course, it doesn't replace drinking water, but to me it feels like one of the more enjoyable ways to cool down.