The quickest way to prepare a ripe avocado is to slit it lengthwise all the way around, all the way down to the seed. Then pop the two halves apart, chop the knife into the seed that's imbedded in one half, and pop it out. You can then use a scoop or spoon to remove the flesh from the peel.
If you're an adventurous cook, you can get some of your ingredients directly from Mother Nature. For example, sassafras trees are often common in Southern woods. Their dried leaves can be powdered and made into file (fee-lay), which is used to thicken and flavor gumbos.