tale of the pumpkin plumber

it's a story that must be told.  i cannot stand in the way of such artistic expression any longer...

it all started in the fall of 2007, when we received a rather...unique...pumpkin.  grown out at my parents' farm and then transported here, it certainly had a rare beauty all its own.  unremarkable to some...but greatly admired by 3 little boys, who appreciated its...form. 

truth be told, i never took note of said pumpkin at first...it seemed like any other to me.  it was placed on our front porch area with all of the others. days passed as they always do. however, rather mysteriously, the pumpkin was moved indoors...where it became the object of great study and observation by my two young sons and their dear cohort who lives next door...

one day, i remember passing through the room where the hooligans, scoundrels, children, i mean scientists were at work, binoculars in hand and laughing hysterically.  i paid scant attention, but i dimly remember hearing the phrase ..."observations... of...butt crack..." as i continued about my business of the moment.  at one point over the course of the weeks-long "study" i was able to surreptitiously record one of the stinkers children conducting what appeared to be an olfactory study of the unfortunate gourd...

               

well - as all good things do - this came to a natural end.  the wonderful fall days turned colder and cozier.  halloween came and went.  still this pumpkin remained indoors, exempt from carving and the falling outdoor temperatures.  so it was.  the children returned to their previous interests and the pumpkin remained strangely mum.

then one day in november, i went out and about, running various errands - and leaving my husband and children at home.  my usually reserved husband seemed rather goofy and giddy when i checked in with him by phone once or twice...but who am i to question aberrant behavior?!?

well. you be the judge.

how might you feel on arriving home to a perfect stranger working in your kitchen?  under the sink.  with no advance notice or "how do you do".  just there.  hanging out.

            

so the next time your precious children come home from school, carrying the ubiquitous "world globe" pumpkin?  take a picture.  smile.  and be thankful.