Trina Machecek: Colorful drinks

Summer is so close I can almost taste the smoothies made with fresh berries. The lemonade of summer holds memories. Yes, I did have a lemonade stand with my friend one year, many years ago. When you think that I grew up in Ely, where the street walkers (well that doesn’t sound right!).

Where the people who happened by a lemonade stand in eastern Nevada, were very few and far between. We made a few pieces of pocket change that hot day. Pretty sure we decided that a lemonade stand was not ever going to make us rich. But. Yes, a nickel a swallow “but.” Oh, it was fun. Sticky, messy and fun.

The years that come and go can be played out in many colorful things to quench a thirst. But really none are as welcomed as something icy cold on a hot summer’s day. At the county fair in Eureka every year a man and woman bring over a little trailer that is their grown-up lemonade stand. They make the prettiest tall drinks.

They use clear tall plastic cups. They fill them with fruit and sugary syrup and water and ice. Even if you aren’t thirsty, you lick your lips at the thought of slurping down one of their concoctions. Talk about good marketing and good timing.

Just this morning though, I was treated to a commercial about making and enjoying a refreshing drink that is touted as good for me. The guy was happy as he put some miracle power is his magic stir-em-up mixer that went at the speed of light. Added cool clear water.

He then poured his creation in a clear tall glass and lifted it to his waiting, lip licking mouth. Now that all sounds pretty desirable, right? Well up until I tell you his drink was GREEN! Yes, green. And thick. I can do a lot of taste testing, but I draw a line in the sand at drinking something green. Green and thick. I know, I know.

It’s the generation of kale and spinach and cukes and any other off the wall thing someone tries to tell me is good for me – because it is green. But nope. My line in the sand is deep, etched with a big stick and maybe even cemented.

You know how sometimes when you go to eat or drink something, just as it gets close to your mouth you can feel that finger down your throat saying, “Thank you, but no thank you,” in the utmost severe and thorough way.

Not caring where you are or who is in your air space. Something tells me that I wouldn’t dare try getting that stuff past my lips. Over the teeth and through the gums, look out tummy here it comes. NOT! That green goo is not going to be welcomed into my gastrointestinal track.

And why? Why in the name of blueberry and peach summer frozen treats would I trade for something green – and thick, for a watermelon and nectarine smoothie with a few raspberries thrown in for good measure.

Did I mention the drink he was about to drink was thickly and gooey. As I sit here writing this story, I have a glass of pink lemonade at the ready to swill as I need it. I have to admit I have no idea if there is a difference between pink and yellow lemonade.

I suppose since I am a girl, the pink just seems a better fit. There is a new “mix up a drink” place in a nearby town that I got a free coupon for from of all people my podiatrist. (That is neither here nor there, I just found it amusing.). You should see their menu.

Truly, the only thing they sell are drinks of flavors that one cannot shake a stick at. From tropical to outer space names that I think may have something to do with video games.

But do you know, in the list of all the ways they will spin, shake, crush, melt, freeze, or smoothie a drink, not one is green. So, it can’t be just me. Soon the beads of sweat will form on your forehead as you are out and about in your yard or at a park.

Playing or working, you’re going to desire something cool and refreshing. Know this, it is okay to say “NO” to green and yes to a lovely shade of lavender or perhaps orange.

Trina Machacek lives in Diamond Valley north of Eureka. Email itybytrina@yahoo.com.