Exploding Watermelons and Cracked Eggs: Haste Makes Waste!

As a preteen, I shared precious moments in the kitchen with my mother. She was an accomplished home economist, and taught me how to follow recipes and read measuring cups and spoons. She would further explain the difference between cutting styles, for example: diced, cubed and Julienne.

I recall one of the many cooking lessons of separating egg whites from the yolks—minus the shell. I had to crack four eggs. My experience with cracking the first two eggs was a slow process, yet successful. Then she announced that she was “doubling” the recipe. So instead of four eggs, I had to crack eight.

In my desire to move on to something more exciting, some of the yolk and shell were mixed in with the egg whites. I looked in the bowl, exasperated by the tedious task and asked for her help. “Take your time. Be patient. Haste makes waste,” she said very matter-of-factly as she picked up a spoon.

While viewing photos and reading articles about the “exploding watermelons” phenomenon, I reflect on the words “haste makes waste.”

According to the Xinhua news organization in China, approximately 20 farmers in a village in Jiangsu province planted imported seeds from Japan. Half of the farmers began experiencing crops of exploding watermelons. The China Central Television reported that upwards of 115 acres were affected. (To put that into perspective, one acre equals 43,560 square feet, in the U.S.)

One farmer indicated that he used chemicals to speed up the growth of the crops on May 6 and the following day more than 180 melons from his crop exploded.

Another farmer surveyed his crops in the morning and counted 80 burst watermelons. Later that afternoon it was 100. The report further noted that two days later the farmer didn’t bother to count anymore.

The farmers and the news organizations are stating a myriad of explanations of the “exploding watermelons” including imported seeds, heavy rainfall and thin watermelon rinds. However, reports indicate that some farmers in China are using and abusing both legal and illegal growth chemicals on their crops.

In their urgency to grow large watermelons to sell at the market, I would surmise that many of the farmers are novices at adequately administering growth chemicals including, forchlorfenuron. Can you imagine how many hours were spent cultivating the land, planting the seeds and administering fertilizers to several acres of land only to have the crops ruined? Haste makes waste.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticide 18-page fact sheet, the chemical is approved and used in the U.S. in small and controled amounts on grapes, raisins and kiwi.

Our society has grown increasingly impatient. We want and have come to depend on conveniences, many of which are now common practices: 24-hour programming, ATMs, 24-hour drive thru at McDonald’s, instant coffee, text messaging and emails vs. a hand-written note with a stamp on it!

I remember having to wear a pager for work. Do you remember the bag car phones? We have become an “I want it and I want it NOW!” society.  We want our products and services to appease and please all of our senses.

But at what cost are willing to gain those things?

Some things are divinely set in motion to grow at their own pace like babies, wisdom teeth and flowers. When we detract things from their intended course, sometimes the outcome is not what we expected.

On a daily basis, I remind myself to maximize the moment, work quickly and efficiently and remember my mother’s words, “Take your time because haste makes waste.”

Until then … exercise patience.

www.inquirer.net