It Started With a Pumpkin

What is it about the month of October that brings out the happiness in all of us. Is it the change of weather, the falling leaves, the brisk cool mornings, the new fall clothes, the magnificent sunsets or just a time to change?  I love everything about this month but if I were to be perfectly honest, my favorite part of October is the "Pumpkin." Yes, the pumpkin!  Grown out of seed, maturing to a bright, rather odd looking specimen, the pumpkin is what brings me the most happiness this month. So of course finding the perfect or not so perfect one is quite thrilling. It is official, October is here so I am on my hunt!  Driving around I see that the pumpkin stands have not opened yet so I decide to head over to Trader Joe's.  Pulling into the parking lot I spot a sign "Pumpkins, $5.99" Awesome!  I start to walk, then run as I  see that these are not just ordinary pumpkins, but some of the oddest and wildly looking creatures I had ever seen. Orange, red, white, green, green with stripes, green with knots, green with orange, orange with stripes, orange with yellow, orange with knots, orange with orange, pink, pink with stripes, pink with knots.  Fat ones, big ones, little ones, pear shapes, big shapes, round shapes. Some with stems, some without. I love them all so my task at hand is to find the perfect one!  But how do I decide? The green one with the peach coloring on its side and these gnarly looking knots would look perfect on my kitchen buffet.  But the bright orange, rather flat one would look awesome on my dining room table. And isn't it my girlfriend Debbie's birthday? I am sure that she would like the pink one with the peanut looking knots. But then again, I do love the odd, knotty looking orange one too! Carefully looking at the many selections, I find 20 pumpkins that I want but know that  I can not have. Obsessing, I have to make hard choices and only get 5.  So one hour later I leave Trader Joe's with 7 pumpkins, 10 gourds and a heart full of joy.  I was a little jealous while checking out, as I had noticed that someone at the next register had picked up the rather large, light orange one with the tan stripes. I sure hope it goes home to a nice place.

Carefully,  putting my new purchases into my car I drive home and start to think about where I will put my new little friends.  Oh no, red light!  Stopping extremely fast, my pumpkins start to roll around the back of my car. And did I tell you that my golden retriever, Jackson was also in the back?  Looking in the rearview mirror I see 7 large pumpkins, 10 gourds and my dog jumping around all trying to avoid each other.  It was quite the sight, but no to time to dwell as I have to make a quick right turn. Oh no, all my passengers have now all rolled to the other side of my car.  Jackson is jumping trying to avoid  the collision. I tell him it will be ok and that we will be home soon. Secretly, I was worried about loosing some of the stems on the pumpkins, so I slow to a crawl and put on my emergency lights and continue home.  Well now people are starting to honk at me because I am driving too slow. Don't they know that there are pumpkins on board?  Ignoring this outcry I drive home in silence, only to hear a faint chuckle coming from the back.  I am sure  glad that my pumpkins have a good sense of humor!

Now that I am home, I am very pleased with my selections. They each have found a perfect place to reside for the next couple of months.  But I do notice that there is something missing by the pumpkins and gourds that I have placed on my dining room table. The chandelier looks awfully plain.  I know!  I am going to find something like cheese cloth and wrap it around the arms to make it look spooky. Not finding this, I go to my closet  ( the best flea market ever!)  Perfect! I will take my tulle wedding veil with the the rhinestone head band and put it in the chandelier along with a big black spider. Something is still missing.  I know!  I am going to pretend that I am going to have a Halloween party and decorate my entire house!  Twelve hours later, mission accomplished.  My home has been transformed into one big Halloween treat.  Now I just have to find a costume that my new friends will enjoy! Another time, another hunt.

Yes,  October is the perfect month. So friends, take some time and go out and find something that makes you happy.  It could be a song, a trip, a new outfit, a change of hairstyle,  a new lipstick, a new friend, spending time with an old friend, a new love, an old love, or just a simple trip to your local pumpkin patch. Make the most of this month because it is the most glorious time of the year. Just ask my 7 pumpkins and 10 gourds.