Editor's note: Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson will be at Rocky Suns Farm this Saturday, Oct. 19, selling and signing her books along with several other vendors. The farm is located a mile west of Kansas Highway 7 on 2200 Road.
Country Notebook
By Rogene "Jeannie" McPherson
Last May, I planted pumpkin seeds in locations once supporting grass. With temperatures soaring near 100, with watering not making much difference, and crabgrass taking over, my spirit has been broken. As a last resort, I’ve planted some areas to pumpkins and gourds.
The vines came up quickly in the backyard, and then started taking over. Huge yellow blossoms set on, but once the heat became challenging the vines produced only a dozen pumpkins. Not a good crop, but enough I could give one to each grandchild. The itty-bitty decorative pumpkins have been prolific and may decorate many tables at Thanksgiving.
When I saw the deer nosing around in the backyard, I realized it was time to pick pumpkins. My grandsons came to the farm late September. I attached the kids’ little red wagon to the back of the ATV and drove to the pumpkin patch with James, almost six, resting in the back of the wagon. Once there, he jumped out and with a brief lesson, he cut the stems, leaving about three inches as instructed.
The plan was for Leo and I to put the pumpkins into the wagon. Leo, not yet three, tried his best but only could manage the smallest of the small. With the larger ones, he would shout, “Too heavy!” being truthful about his capabilities. Every time he saw a pumpkin, he voiced his desire for pumpkin pie. The best I could do before sending them home was some pumpkin bars I pulled from the freezer.
En route to the backyard, we nearly ran over a box turtle, likely trying to make its way toward the pumpkin patch. The turtle’s four legs were moving furiously toward the rose patch, a good hiding place. Seeing him or her, I was once again assured we should pick pumpkins. The turtle is likely busy eating anything that tastes good before going into hibernation.
With pumpkins ranging in size from 10 inches in diameter to about 4 inches, we pulled the wagon to the front of the house so that pumpkins could be chosen prior to their leaving. The boys wanted four for each member of the family along with two orange-ish mum plants.
That leaves me with six pumpkins, just enough for the other grandchildren. Here’s my dilemma: One of the remaining pumpkins has been slightly eaten. I suspect the deer as that was the pumpkin being smelt by the doe as I watched her from my window. I don’t think it was to her liking as the injury is only about an inch wide.
How does one repair the skin of a pumpkin? I’ve thought about putting an antibiotic cream over the wound, but does it work in the same manner on pumpkins as humans? I could put a band-aide over the nibbled skin and make up a humorous story. Or, I could cook and puree the wounded pumpkin and make pumpkin pie for Leo.
Leo will get his pumpkin pie, but probably not from a home-grown pumpkin. In my younger days, I made baked goods from home-grown pumpkins, but I personally think it was a lot of work when canned pumpkin can be bought for $2.00 or less when on sale. Plus, I did not plant pumpkin seeds intended as pumpkin pie pumpkins. I’ll make sure Leo knows the pumpkin came from a can.
There is a strong possibility I will purchase a couple of pumpkins visually matching the size of those grown so that everyone of my family has a pumpkin. It will be my little secret and one of only a handful of little white lies I’ve told in my life typically intended for good. Or, should I?
The impact of untruths began in the first garden in Eden and continues today in our lives. I had numerous opportunities for setting a positive example during this weekend. I won’t spoil the impact. James may count the number of pumpkins in the patch and compare those on display in front porches and reason that something doesn’t add up.
Grandmas and others should tell the truth, setting a positive example.
Rogene “Jeannie” McPherson, from the Centerville area, is a regular contributor to the Linn County Journal. Her latest book Posts from the Country, Adventures in Rural Living is available online in both virtual and printed editions. Copies are on the shelves at all Linn County libraries.
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