Pumpkins

The annual stalk-and-kill was revived this weekend. All thanks goes to Molly. The turnout wasn’t as large as in years past, but we had multiple generations from all three families present, five children in all.

As in years past we went to Stoney Ridge Farm near Everson to hunt our pumpkins. It was a beautiful Autumn Saturday and the hordes of the county packed the place. There was even a line to pay to gain entrance. That bothered some, those same some wanted to sneak in. But certain wives would hear none of it.

Truth be told, the price of admission is not steep. But it is irksome to have to pay in order to have the opportunity to buy something. Kinda like Costco. Stoney Ridge does offer more than just a patch of Mexican pumpkins. It’s more of a fair-like atmosphere.

If you’re there early enough there is Apple cider (fresh from the farm), ice cream and some truly memorable pie. There is also an opportunity to pet farm animals and see goats walking overhead on a catwalk. Odd, but a draw. Kids can enjoy a miniature train ride and bouncy toys. Plus, there’s the old favorite of holes in plywood. That’s a photo-op since there are semi-funny views to which you can add your face. Of course you also get to hunt your pumpkin in the wild.

The pumpkins themselves are somewhat controversial. One school of thought holds that the plot of land cannot possibly produce the number of pumpkins sold, and that the pumpkins are trucked in from Mexico. The other school of thought maintains that the pumpkins are domestic, even coming from the same farm.

Either way, the hunters are taken by wagon (hay ride) to the killing field where they can choose and take their gourd choice. We skipped that this year, since we got a late start and spent a lot of time catching up and letting the children play. Lucas was all for the train ride, while Xander was insistent upon the bouncy toys. Jack was enthralled with the old pickup truck. The trucks' bed was used to hold pumpkins, but the door wasn’t locked and while many kids played in it, Jack had no intention of ever leaving.

Seeing old friends is the whole point of the stalk-and-kill so nobody minded missing the pumpkin field. Kim even skipped the pie. We did take one pumpkin from the pre-cut pile, just to have one.

One thing was missing this year though, the normal heavy-handed religious overtone. Once upon a time a person could buy all sorts of right-wing Christian literature. Now the only nod to

God was a bird house. It was more of a church actually, and even it downplayed the religion by clubbing the patriotism. The birdhouse had a flag attached. Something of a large decoration for a birdhouse.

By default I became August’s god father. Meaning, no on else wanted the job. I assumed it meant Kim and I would take possession if something happened to Molly and David. Molly, however, thinks I should be providing some sort of religious indoctrination. I have to wonder if that’s why she chose Stoney Ridge? Perhaps I’ll have to gather some comparative literature. Maybe send a group or two to their door in the future.