Fruity Water

Lean in.

Closer.

I want to tell you about my first time.

It happened in the lobby of the Myrtle Beach Marriott.

Photo: Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes

We collapsed into the tasteful British Colonial plantation chairs after too many hours on the road. Myrtle was the tail end of a whirlwind roadtrip through the Carolinas that included Asheville, Raleigh, Durham, 5 kids, 4 adults.

And it was hot.

During a tour of the Duke University campus, we all noted that sweat was emanating from body parts not previously known to be perspiratory-earlobes, heels, elbows. To this day, we refer to purgatory-like weather as “Duke Hot”, as in, “Crank up the a/c. It’s freakin’ Duke Hot in here.”

Back to the lobby. Centrally situated was a substantial mahogany console table. And on that table were clear plastic tumblers and a beverage dispenser. I approached warily, like a desert nomad who fears the oasis is merely a mirage. Slices of lemon danced as strawberries bobbed in the water. I downed one glass. Two. Three. I was immediately rehydrated and renewed.

Now I squeal “Fruity water!” every time I stumble upon a dispenser in a hotel lobby. Even budget chain hotels like the Hampton Inn and Hyatt Place have realized it’s possible to generate guest ecstasy by squeezing some lemons into a water-filled plastic pitcher.

P1000268It’s anything but Duke Hot today. We’ve hit inch #4 of Winter Storm Nemo. They’re predicting 18+. It’s pretty but I’m ready for spring:  daffodils, asparagus, and…fruity water!

lemons strawberries fruit water

I dug the beverage dispenser out of the basement, sliced up some lemons, opened a bag of frozen strawberries and squealed. I think I’ve got enough lemons to last until Tuesday so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.