Last week, when my parents came to visit from Houston, they brought with them three plump, rose-tinged grapefruits. These grapefruits came from a tree in my sister’s back yard, a tree that she didn’t realize was a grapefruit tree until last year, when it produced a single fruit. This year, with some pruning and feeding, the tree is producing many more fruits. Our nephews are excited about growing food in their own yard; I’m tickled that they (or at least their mother) shared some of their home-grown grapefruit with me.
Tonight, as snow blanketed our hill, I cut the last of those grapefruit in half. The bright, tangy aroma was a burst of warmth and sunlight on a cold, dark night. I carefully cut the sections from their membranes; the juice welled up and dripped onto my hand. I licked my fingers, not wanting to lose a bit of the juice. Spooning the sections into my mouth, I savored the sweet-tart taste of sunshine, of Texas soil, and of family. I squeezed the hemisphere of peel to free the last of the juice, and tilting my head back, let the juice run from the shell into my mouth. A few drops escaped, running down my neck, sticky and warm as little boys’ kisses.
Tags: 5 Comments
5 responses so far ↓
food of the gods. ruby reds are the best
My sister sometimes brings us grapefruit from Florida at Christmastime (also grown in her yard), so I know exactly how yummy that can be. Wonderful foto, too.
And today Houston is experiencing Seattle weather, 40 degrees and off and on drizzle. But tomorrow it is supposed to be cold and clear-no snow. I hope the grapefruit survive so that you can enjoy more of them at Christmas.
I like the ruby reds but can do without the regular grapefruit.
I could almost taste one when I read your words.
Yesterday it was 78 degrees here, today is to be a record high of 80. But the wind has picked up and by midnight the temperatures are supposed to plunge 30 degrees or so. Last weekend they forecasted snow for this weekend but now just a bit of drizzle.
I seem to be always typing this on your blog. Great photo!