Growing Pumpkins
For the past three September 11th memorial postings, I have written and rewritten about our family’s perspective on September 11, 2001; here is the blog:
Titled:
No Time For Hate
… and, indeed, we are headed back to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial held in Colorado Springs https://www.iaff.org/fffm23/ this coming Wednesday. However, this year, I’ve decided to write about, well, I’ve decided to write about something new.
I’ve decided to write about Pumpkins.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I only hold the greatest respect for this memorial and I love supporting my husband through it; and yes, sadly, we are honoring a fellow fallen firefighter this coming weekend.
I encourage you to re-read the blog. It’s poignant and well written and edited (if I do say so myself) but I have faced many hard things these last four years and, frankly, without disrespecting the honor of the badge and the hard work of my husband’s profession, I would like to write about something this year that brings me joy .
Pumpkins.
You see, I have The Most Sincerest Pumpkin Patch growing in my front yard. You must understand this one thing, I seek no presents from the Great Pumpkin - I just seek joy in watching my vines grow and spread their leaves across my yard attaching their tendrils around the garden boxes integrating with the rose bushes; one of them even embedded itself within the rose bush and is producing a decent sized pumpkin!
Their broad leaves shade the herbs without overwhelming them; their long fast growing vines remind me of their expedient progress and the production of their fruit still amazes me that …
ALL OF THIS:
Comes from a SINGLE seed!
Whoa!
Growing my own vegetables and plants, watching them thrive or simply enjoying the sights and smells of nature – all of the activities associated with gardening – has shown to really boost my mood. Spending time outdoors is great for my well being, but gardening can give my time outside a greater sense of purpose.
This helps.
Did you know that a Pumpkin vine has a Male AND and Female flower?
So Efficient!
Each pumpkin plant has both male and female flowers, with the first eight flower buds appearing on a new plant usually forming only male flowers. Typically, the first female flower opens approximately one week after the first male opens.
I didn’t know this …
What I find fascinating through this whole process is how transitioning a garden into and through the Harvest Season actually assists me by transitioning myself into a new season.
The celebration of a Fall Equinox, decorating the house for Halloween, celebrating our 29th year of marriage (Wow, that went fast!) ... Who would have thought that the simple process of growing a pumpkin could conjure up thoughts of transitional hurdles, some celebratory and some memorialized.
So, on this 11th day of September, I hope you find yourself well.
