The magic of turning pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns

I carved a jack-o'-lantern this morning. The last time I carved one is lost in the mists of time long gone. Shortly after I finished, the Better Half [BH] began carving the first of two she's doing. Guess which one of this partnership is the patient, attention to detail person.

This was the first time I've ever used serrated pumpkin cutters and a plastic goop cleaner - pumpkin scraper. They worked better than I expected, but inexpensive, undersized, plastic handles don't make for an enjoyable experience. Since we only carve pumpkins once a year, it probably wouldn't warrant looking for a better set of tools, unless they could also serve other purposes, like a serrated bread knife? We may give that some additional thought.

fancy pumpkin carving for a centerpiece

Photo by J. Harrington

Tonight, we'll try to get some decent photos of our carving efforts. The one BH has finished is impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks with a candle or LED inside it. Until then, enjoy some of our prior year's efforts. The carvings were done by the BH or the Daughter Person or the Son-In-Law. I'm responsible for the pictures. At least pumpkins are a better size for carving than turnips, unless the Irish grow monstrously large turnips.

ghosts, ghouls, and goblins can be seen wandering at night

Photo by J. Harrington

While BH was "gutting" and carving pumpkins, Yr. Obt. Svt. was outside cleaning a mouse nest out of the dashboard of the tractor. We had planned on putting mouse repellants in the dash area early next week. The persistent rain no doubt motivated the mouse to seek someplace high and dry. We ended up the proverbial "day late and dollar short" and now the tractor needs to go into the shop to get a gnawed on wiring harness replaced or repaired. What induces a mouse to go exploring into a dash board in the first place? The one's that have been sneaking into the garage have been lured to their demise in the baited traps, ideally before they find their way into either vehicle. Country living isn't all watching beautiful sunrises while drinking coffee on the deck you know. Sometimes it's dealing with vermin varmints!

Theme in Yellow

By Carl Sandburg

I spot the hills

With yellow balls in autumn.

I light the prairie cornfields

Orange and tawny gold clusters

And I am called pumpkins.

On the last of October

When dusk is fallen

Children join hands

And circle round me

Singing ghost songs

And love to the harvest moon;

I am a jack-o'-lantern

With terrible teeth

And the children know

I am fooling.

********************************************
Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.