Get Your Pumpkin Spice Away From My Watermelon

(An Open Letter to the Pumpkin-Spiced Lovers of America)

Dear Pumpkin Spiced Lovers of America,

We have some work to do. It seems that many of us have forgotten how to stay in the present moment. If you are drinking pumpkin spiced beers or pumpkin spiced lattes from Starbucks, I’m writing to you now.

Today is August 31, 2020. Yesterday, I went to the local farmer’s market to purchase a watermelon. This melon still had dirt all over it; the sign above it read “Guaranteed Sweet/Peak Season.” When I cut it into it, it was complete fruity perfection. And I enjoyed every succulent, juicy bite.

Marketers Gotta Market

Before heading to the farmer’s market, I went through the Starbucks drive-thru to get a red-eye. Usually, I go to a mom and pop coffee shop. Unfortunately, due to COVID, my favorite spot closed its doors. As I pulled through the drive-thru, I noticed that Pumpkin Spiced lattes are already available. According to the barista, they launched just over a week ago. WTF?

After leaving the farmer’s market, I went to the beer and wine store to pick up a Raspberry Framboise Lambic Ale for a video project containing the aforementioned watermelon (more on that…