The Annual Halloween Mini-Pumpkin Decorating Contest of 2009 ramped it up a notch. I wish I could remember who won.
I thought mine was quite creative. It was intended to be an appetizer of “Carved Pumpkin”. I think it was an intern who added a bit more to mine. There should have been a number to vote for the two of us together, him with his fork and me with my knife.
In the office I worked in back in 2008, we had mini-pumpkin decorating contests each Halloween. Thank goodness it wasn’t carving! I would not have done well, and I tend to do unintended damage with knives.
The competition was fierce…
If I remember right, the hamburger won…
But I still think I did okay…
A few years ago I stayed in a hotel for one night near Halloween. The lobby had pumpkins the staff had carved. I adore Autumn. It’s even more fun when others get into it as well and share in the festivities. If only I could remember the name of this hotel that made my stay more fun.
I enjoy the Fair, but it is apparently not for the typical reason.
As a child, my parents would take me to the Fair each year. It was a wonderful afternoon of seeing most of our fellow farming friends, all of the animals and their ribbons, all of the exhibits in the hall, and eating all of a Polish dog with some of the trimmings. For me, the very best part of the day was the smells! There are a few animals for which their scents just make me happy: Cows, horses, and bunnies (there are others who like these smells too!). I can do without the scent produced by pigs and wet sheep.
As I grew up, I offered to take my youngest niece and nephews to the Fair. However, once we arrived at the Fair, we did not see eye to eye. Sure, my parents had taken me on a ride or two, but that wasn’t the thrill of it to me. My nephews didn’t have the Farm Bureau group meeting in their home a couple of times a year. They didn’t grow up knowing their milk man and milk tester. Sure, their mom had chickens and turkeys, and their dad occasionally had a cow or two, but it wasn’t the same farming community that my parents had as full-time Dairy Farmers. When we got to the Fair, they didn’t recognize the names of nearly all of the people showing animals. Don’t get me wrong, they knew many people there and their animals and they know about the rigors of farming, but the sight of these animals didn’t bring them the joy it brings to me. For them, it was the rides.
In the end, I’d make them look at least half of the animals as well as a few entries in the exhibit hall. Then I’d buy a night of rides. They were okay (I don’t care for rides that are not permanently installed and embedded into the ground). The one area we did all agree on was the tasty treats: elephant ears, snow cones, and Polish dogs.
I still enjoy the Fair. I just declare beforehand that I WILL be looking at ALL of the animals WITH the wee one I bring. Only then will I buy a large round of rides on those creepy, unattached monstrosities.
Moral of the Story: We are not all entertained by the same things. For some, it’s a barn filled with smelly creatures, and for others it’s the excitement of a roller coaster.
In Vegas, next door to the M&M store, is the Coca Cola store. Lots of things to choose from, but three of us settled on sharing a tray of flavors from around the world.
I was surprised how many of them were some sort of tea. Alas, even with three of us, I think we only emptied about 4 of the cups. Many of the flavors were too strong with only a sip. So glad I didn’t go it alone!
Moral of the Story: A little help from your friends goes a long way.
Some days the signage at Pastrami Joe’s in Marshall, Michigan is just plain reality.
Why is it that when I look for “whoever is not with you is for you”, I find this…
Matthew 12:30
New International Version
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
So negative!
What I do recall reading is this…
Luke 9:50
New International Version
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
It’s ironic that the verses before both of these are about casting out demons or the devil.
I believe Jesus held no ill well toward the creations of his Father – us. Therefore, I choose to believe in Luke 9:50. Then again, I guess that’s the crux of the matter: The stories differ and there are choices to be made.
Moral of the Story: There are choices in life. Sometimes they are Biblical, and sometimes they are Faith-based.
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