’Twas the Weeks Before Halloween’

It was late afternoon on the Farmstead, edging into evening.

The last rays of sunlight stretched across the fields, gilding the pumpkins, touching the hedgerows, and slipping away between the trees.

The spiders were decorating.

Everywhere.

Silvery threads caught the fading light, stretching between branches, across corners, and over anything that had stood still long enough to become part of the arrangements.

Along the hedgerows, the hedge folk were stirring.

A little farther out, where the fields met the gathering dusk, will-o'-the-wisps began to flicker.

The household sprites had their own preparations underway, while the hobgoblins were, as usual, making themselves useful in ways that nobody had actually requested.

Somewhere, witches were brewing special ciders.

The shadows lengthened. The veil had thinned. The nights had grown long, and there was a certain feeling in the air that made even the ordinary things seem to be waiting for something.

Everyone was getting ready.

Everyone, that is, except the Pumpkins.

From the bins came a rumble.

Then a grumble…

—-

There has been talk in the pumpkin patch.

Pumpkins, along with their cousins the Longnecks—which are really just overgrown Butternuts—have been hanging out lately.

Pumpkins were teasing that they aren’t really Pumpkins and should hang out… over there… somewhere…

Because as much as they get along with everyone, they’re discussing Pumpkin-specific things—and that means the little Pumpkins aren’t allowed either (they can go play at the kid’s table—sooo much fun with snacks there anyway).

The Longnecks correctly pointed out that they’re also called Neck-Pumpkins, so they do belong.

But the “real” Pumpkins countered: Are you orange? No. The Longnecks had to agree; they are not orange… not that orange.

Not inside, not outside. But when they end up in the cans industrially, there’s an Orange “real” Pumpkin picture put on the can…

One especially large ‘Neck-Pumpkin,’ alias Longneck-Butternut, stares not-threatening - but long and intensely, at the largest Orange “real” Pumpkin.

All the Pumpkins and Longnecks, the Sugar pumpkins, Butternuts, Acorns—even the Greens—hold their breath at this exchange, interrupting a perfectly peaceful afternoon on the Farmstead.

The Delicatas just scoot over a little, pretending to be involved with some other very important chat, quietly whispering. They’re too delicate for such interactions. Thin-skinned they’re called, but they take that as a compliment.

Collards, sweetened up by a couple of frosts, decide to care and inquire what it’s even about.

A smaller “real” Pumpkin explains in a very low voice that the Big Pumpkins are considering a Halloween Sale for themselves.

Now that they’re all at home, they’re getting anxious and impatient for adventure. Tales of Halloween spots and carved faces have been going around in the rows, and excitement has been growing.

Only a couple of weeks now for the big day… or rather evening… it gets all swoony (not mushy)… being lit up by candles—inner flames… ohhh

Collards, with a side glance trying to understand: OK… so an elite club is what you’re saying?

- No, just the Longnecks can’t be used for decoration like that. They are food crops.

Collards think about it for a moment, then the verdict is: everything can be decoration.

“And by size, the alter-naming of Neckpumpkin, the picture on the cans, the use of them in pumpkin pies being generally perfectly acceptable—they should be included. At least the largest ones. The little ones? They should sit on the kid’s table—with the sugar pumpkins. Fair enough?”

The spiciest of Hot Peppers chime in too: They’re not intimidated; they just did not care until now. Yes, this sounds fair, and the spiciest jumped right into the Pumpkin bin and happily delivered the verdict.

Pumpkin and Longneck stopped the stare-off… You little….- this is not your business…- they agreed on something.

Ghost Pepper was not impressed and casually stated: The Collards have spoken.

Longneck countered: Nobody asked. Pumpkin said: We’ll settle this amongst ourselves. Longneck turned around and muttered something about not being told who to be; he was just making a point anyway—too valuable to be put on sale.

Now Pumpkin also re-considered and said: It was just an idea. He considers himself even MORE valuable… and there they went with that again…

Turnips were curling their large leaves in amusement at the entertainment.

Ultimately, the Farmer stepped in anyway and declared a Halloween Sale—and coincidentally it was exactly what the Collards suggested.

All the big Pumpkins and Longnecks are On Sale now, and Collards too - maybe more

Happy Halloween. Get them soon to have the Best Selection and Choice. We suggest: start with Fall Decoration, toss in some Cornstalk bundles, get Pumpkins and Longnecks, a few colorful small ones (maybe just paint the Pumpkins instead of carving), and eat them all when the Show is over.

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Wishing you a very happy, safe, and cosy Halloween

 Susanne @ Stefanfarms