- Waiting in Oysterville
The pumpkins scattered along Territory Road in Oysterville diminish in number every day. It happens in the dark of night when we good citizens are fast asleep. Each morning, in the dim light of dawn, we notice that another one or two are missing.
It’s just one more example of why some of us are fast losing faith in our fellow man. One more reason to settle into bitchdom and curmudgeon-ness. What in the world is wrong with people? Neighbor Bradley spent a good deal of money on those pumpkins. To say nothing of effort. He did it to bring a little color and joy to our village and to passers-by.
Like last year, Bradley’s plan is to host a pumpkin – carving extravaganza among the neighbors on Halloween, to be followed by a party decorated with Jack-o-lanterns (of course!) Meanwhile, the pumpkins are scattered along Territory Road in cheerful profusion for the greater community to enjoy.
So far, six of the original 31 have disappeared – one at the village entrance, two in front of the Red Cottage, one in front of our house, two in front of the Clark Claim. Perhaps, like the man who filched the apples from the next door tree last year, the culprits figure that, because the pumpkins are sitting on the grassy verges, they don’t “belong” to anyone.
I can almost hear my gentle old grandmother sigh, “Well, perhaps whoever took them needed them more than we do.” Sorry. I’m not that charitable. Whoever is taking them is a thief, plain and simple. I hope they get caught and punished to full extent of the Great Pumpkin Law.
Sydney…just have to respond because we had a “must not belong to anyone” experience.
For a few years we had a peddle boat anchored in the river in front of our home. One summer day a neighbor came over and said…”DId you know that your boat is going up river with a bunch of kids on board?” Of course not. I went chasing down the beach and out into the water saying “stop-! stop-!” Some of the kids bailed and ran and I did catch up with the boat and the remaining pirates. Their response to me was, “We didn’t think it belonged to anyone!”
So I vote for the “full extent of the Great Pumpkin Law.”