“JJ – Watermelon?”  “Yes!”  (do kids like candy?!  of course I want some watermelon!)

Back to finish my conversation, whatever it was.  I glanced around & noticed that my friend was counting….3..4…and holding a small watermelon and a large knife.  The voice of guilt kicked in, perhaps I should tell him that if there’s not enough to go ’round, I’ll pass…I’m nice like that…  The other voice spoke up: let it ride, it was offered and I answered honestly – share in the watermelon.  (I like watermelon – the second voice won)

Suddenly someone was tapping on my shoulder – they’re ready, get your watermelon….and someone else was presenting me with a quarter-melon wedge and pointing where I should stand…

Having graduated college 24 years after I began, I’m rather quick…

What?  Contest??   (yup)   ruh-roh….  I had just agreed to compete against three men to speed-eat a healthy wedge  of watermelon, preferably finishing before the rest.     

I gave it my best shot, honest, as the voices in my head can attest…  (and probably a few cameras)  “don’t mess the shirt” “too dainty, you’re up against men – dive in there!”  “bigger bites”

Of course I lost, then I found a fork & enjoyed the other half of my well-gnawed wedge.  We can now check “watermelon eating contest” off the list of things I haven’t done yet.

Congrats go to the guy from Chicago, who also gets the award for messiest shirt.  Hats off to the guy beside me who followed the 5-second rule even with watermelon, on the ground, several times.  And thanks to the person who stooped down to sign “yes, there’s a winner” so I didn’t keep making an even bigger fool of myself.

Now begins the recruiting for the women’s rep for the 2014 picnic.