“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” ~ American philosopher Henry David Thoreau  

One of my fondest early childhood memories was of eating out after church each Sunday with my parents.  We would go to the Wyatt’s cafeteria in Big Town mall.  My favorite time was always autumn.  They had a tall white brick wall where they would place all sorts of interesting gourds on top and I loved to look at them as we were waiting in the long line.  If we were lucky, we got to eat next to the double sided fireplace and it was just heaven.  I have had an affinity for gourds ever since.  Southeastern Native American Indian tribes made and still make a lot out of gourds.  So I may come by that interest in part naturally.  This picture was taken at my grandmother in law’s; both she and my mother in law love gourds as well.  It is my favorite season to decorate, and ever since I have been married we have gone to the Farmer’s Market downtown to carefully select pumpkins and gourds of every shape, size, and color.  This was the first year I did not have bales of hay and corn stalks, too.  The hubs says he prefers the gourds alone but I miss the smell of the hay and the sight of the corn.  It is the only holiday where I decorate with live things as I know they have a season.  I remember picking out pumpkins several years ago when I was almost ready to have the baby and a man there said, “You already have one!” and winked.  Proudly, I did!  And she was the best pumpkin in the patch.