A little misty
- To: "pumpkins"
- Subject: A little misty
- From: M* S*
- Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 01:58:30 -0800
Hi,
About 9:30 tonight I got a call, out of the blue, from someone who wanted to
know if I was the same person who had grown the 540 lb. pumpkin that had
been fed to the elephants. When I agreed, with some hesitation, that I was
that person, the caller asked if I had any seed from "that huge pumpkin"
that I could share. I explain that I had better seeds and, being a little
uncomfortable with this "out of the blue" call, offered to send him some
seeds if he would provide his address.
He ignored the request and went on to say that his name was H*****, and that
he played piano in the evening at a local location of an excellent rib
restaurant chain. BINGO! I had spoken with him at the restaurant, albeit
briefly, and had in fact tipped him to play a favorite song. (Small world
time!)
OK, I feel better about this call, and I am enjoying being a minor celebrity
in this caller's eyes. We talk pumpkins , Don's book, and soil tests for
another 15 minutes.
The caller shares he grew two pumpkins this year. One about 25 lbs and
another in the 100 pound range. He is clearly pleased with his results. He
says he is already digging up his lawn to be ready for next year. (Cool!)
Again I offer seeds, again my offer is ignored. More talk about vine
covering and his collection of samurai swords. He shares he only gets sun
from 10 -3, and he knows that is not ideal. I ask if he has a computer, or
computer access, and he says no. He says just taking care of day-to-day
stuff takes up all his time.
Then he drops three bombshells. He lives alone, he lives in a trailer park
with a 20 x 10 possible planting area, and he is 80 years old.
We talk about flowers, about his favorite lily, about people. This is one
sharp mind captured in an 80 year old body. He gives me his address to send
seeds. HE ends the call. It is now 10:15.
I feel a little misty, and awful glad I have what I have, and part of what I
have now includes H*****
And they ask why we grow 'em.
Mike Stephenson
Beaverton, OR
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
