Welcome Great Pumpkin

If I decide to wait for the Great Pumpkin this year, I think I know where to set up camp.  I was riding my bike down Heyward Street in Shandon yesterday and spotted the most appealing pumpkin display.

Not a true patch, because these gourds were off the vine, but I like to think the Great Pumpkin wouldn't split hairs with me on that. He/she would find this one most sincere.

With the variety, it was a bit of a pumpkin museum. These pumpkins are for sale, and to add to the charm, they operate at least part of the time on the honor system.

One year, my sisters and I sold pumpkins from our farm. It was part of my mother's ongoing effort to teach us how to be enterprising, but I think we got off too easy. My grandfather planted the pumpkins. We did have to go out in the field and help load them onto a truck. But mostly, our job was to make signs and run out into the yard and strike deals with people when they honked their horns.  It was fun, and I still appreciate everyone who gave me a double thrill by asking for my carefully considered pumpkin advice, then letting me collect their cash.

I know there are all kinds of places to buy pumpkins right now. If you have a favorite source, feel free to add it.  The pumpkin "patch" in my pictures is at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church on corner of Heyward and Queen in Columbia. They're having a festival tomorrow.

There's plenty to do around town this weekend--and that's not even counting the State Fair.  I'll put in another plug for the Grand Re-opening of the All-Local Farmers' Market at 701 Whaley tomorrow--and add one more for the coffee from Indah that's roasted at the market--wow, it's delicious. 

I rode my bike over to the building yesterday and it's looking good.  The market will be open its regular hours, 8am-noon.