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Jericho Vermont

I read where someone was talking about their wife and being a pumpkin widow. So I decided to post this from my wife. She submitted this for our last newsletter and is working on the next currently.
John

Confessions of a Pumpkin Widow
    As a wife of a pumpkin grower, I have learned to share our space and my spouse with this rotund fruit. In the beginning it seemed rather innocent; those vibrant green vines, sunny yellow blossoms, and leaves the size of an elephant’s ears. I enjoyed watching my husband, hoe in hand, make his way to the patch to do some “weeding”. He could have worse hobbies, I’d say. At least I know where he is and with whom. Little did I know that my “competition” was lurking in my own back yard.
    As a “hobby” grew into a “labor of love” I noticed subtle changes in my husband’s routine. Minutes turned to hours in the garden. I discovered receipts for Neptune’s Harvest in his shirt pocket. Talk at the table turned to compost, Squash Vine Borers and calcium. There was pollen on his collar. What had once begun with the sowing of seeds had turned into a full blown obsession with a giant pumpkin. My wonderful, adoring husband had been reduced to a weather watching, bug picking, vine pruning pumpkin slave. No amount of gardening effort was ever good enough for the emerald goddess. She demanded not only time and physical labor, but expensive gifts like heating coils, lifting tarps and overhead sprinklers. How could a plant exert such control? As I soon discovered, it wasn’t the plant but the “fruit” of the labor that held the secret to its power.

2/7/2008 5:47:59 PM

Jericho Vermont

continued.....
The birth of a pumpkin was an amazing feat. Female blossoms on the vine were beauties to behold. I too found myself looking forward to the potential “babies” to come. Pumpkin procreation became a team effort. Yes, I actually did hold an umbrella while male and female parts were rubbed together in a gentle July rain. The emerald goddess made way to pale yellow orbs, needing protection and coddling. My husband dutifully charted daily growth and progress. He carefully constructed shade huts and cradled their blossom ends in foam. Each pumpkin was special and meticulously inspected for cracks, splits and blemishes. As with his own sons, he knew each prodigy’s needs and tended to them equally, favoring no one plant or fruit. I was so proud of him. It wasn’t long before I felt an innate desire to name the prospective giants. As we did, they began to take on personalities of their own. Like children, they became a part of the family. It wasn’t until harvest time that I discovered the effects of my pumpkin affair.
I thought harvesting the pumpkins would be an emotionally satisfying event. Finally, I would get my husband back. To my surprise, the removal of vines and portaging of pumpkins left me and the patch empty. My husband was pontificating about soil amendments, compost, roto-tilling, next-year this and next-year that. I on the other hand was feeling a little “pumpkin blue”. “Are you glad it’s all over?’ he asked.
“No, “ I said. “I guess I’m not.” Truth is, even though I may lament some and even feel a little jealous during June, July and August, I love this hobby. I can’t imagine sharing my husband or our space with anything better.

2/7/2008 5:48:32 PM

Goffstown,nh

Great Story... It sure sums up everything that goes on at my home except i occasinally attest to taking a season off.
Which i never do...

2/7/2008 6:05:38 PM

Santa Rosa California

great post john thanks

2/7/2008 6:22:40 PM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

terrific stuff!

2/7/2008 6:34:42 PM

Dorval,Quebec

terrific people!

2/7/2008 6:46:17 PM

maine USA

That's an excellent article John. Kathy

2/7/2008 6:57:44 PM

North Smithfield, RI

Great Post John & Kathy ! I will copy and print and let my wife read it !

2/7/2008 7:16:55 PM

Somers, CT

Excellent post John. My wife's addition to the newsletter would not read the same.

2/7/2008 8:28:59 PM

Ankeny, Iowa

Sounds a lot like my life during the summer except I'm not married. Nice post though.

2/7/2008 9:45:13 PM

Whidbey Island

John,
Irene's response about my time in the patch is that I'm not chasing skirts, I'm not gambling, I'm not drinking (much, anyway), I'm not smoking and she always knows where I am. For being a pumpkin widow, that is not half bad.
Lee

2/7/2008 10:02:42 PM

i only wich my woman wasn't jealous of my new hobby but i love it more than her!!:D

2/8/2008 12:00:35 AM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Excellent! Your wife sure did a great job of writing there John. Thanks for sharing.

2/8/2008 2:06:12 AM

Kalamazoo, MI (zemmie640@yahoo.com)

Great story John!

2/8/2008 5:08:08 AM

Jericho Vermont

Thanks for the kind words everyone. A supportive spouse and family is a nice bonus to our obsession. My wife Kerry will have a second edition in our next newsletter.
John

2/8/2008 6:08:02 AM

Cduross1@rochester.rr.com

Excellent. It just about sums up everything in our house too except reversed roles. It's great when both can work on it and enjoy something so simple as a giant pumpkin.

2/8/2008 6:52:04 PM