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Deer Park, WI

I was nervous as hell last night as I was clearing out the vines and such inside the enclosure. The time had come to harvest my one and only. It is still 5 days till the weighoff, I noticed Ice was starting to rot from the bottom this morning when I checked on it. I had the knife in hand, but was neglecting to cut the main vine. Something about harvesting that big pumpkin gives me a weird feeling, a bunch of emotions all mixed into one. Finally, with all the vines out of the way, there was nothing left for me to do but make that final cut. I clenched my jaw and starting sawing thru the 3" tubing that built the beast before me. When the worst was over, a new type of fear set in. The fear of watching a summers worth of work spill out in a smelly, rotten pile of runny mush. You never know what you are going to find when you roll these giants over. Dad and I made some observations as to which side could support the most weight when the fruit was tipped up. We decided to tip the pumpkin on its left side, it appeared more structurally sound, and slide the pallet under its right side. I grabbed the brand new pallet, and slid it into position, perfectly aligned with the right side of the fruit. Dad and I each assumed a position that allowed for the most leverage against this beast. Cont....

10/1/2002 9:04:45 AM

Deer Park, WI

...My fear had reached its apex at this point, the movie in my head showing me how the rotten insides would come gushing out as we raised the pumpkin. The bottom giving way, covering our boots with the most disgusting mixture mother nature has developed. I couldnt bear the thought of it anymore. "1...2...3...lift!" "Can you hold it there while slide the pallet underneath?" "Yeah, but hurry, its getting heavy!" That's what I like to hear!" "It looks solid, and our feet are dry" "Thank the Good Lord!" "Ok, easy does it now, tip the fruit and pallet slowly back to the ground." "Whew, she made it!"
And then that sense of accomplishment, pride, and joy completely wash all the other emotions away. The family and friends gather round, snapping pictures, asking questions, checking to make sure Ice is real. This is the highest time for me, as a grower. I'm the proud parent, on a pedastal, for a few short moments. But it is all worth it, down to every last cuke beetle and weed.

10/1/2002 9:05:56 AM

Western Pa.

Joze a poet, and didn't Knowze it!

10/1/2002 10:36:23 AM