pumpkin patch in the church yard

this afternoon, sandy and i stopped at a pumpkin patch on the way home from the dog park. it was set up in the front yard of an episcopal church and billed as a "pure pumpkin patch".

i figured that despite my less-than-christian aspirations, i do respect the community and support a church can provide - plus i needed a pumpkin for goddess' carving party.

there were a couple of families with small children wading through the pumpkins. one small boy toiled with a little red wagon. they all forgot about the pumpkins when they saw sandy trotting up. i told her to sit, and the children approached in two familial groups. the oldest girl (five or maybe six) asked if they could pet her, although the younger children were already reaching. sandy was relaxed and generally loves kids, so i said okay.

they covered her body in little hands, petting and stroking and some just touching. they asked me questions about her - her name, age, if she was a boy or a girl, what she was going to be for halloween.

then the oldest girl looked up at me. without a change of tone she asked, "why is your hair blue?" her mother blushed. i smiled.

"because it makes me happy."

"oh." she went back to loving sandy. we picked out a pumpkin and a small gourd and returned to the car.

because it makes me happy. darn tootin'