PERFECT PUMPKINS

Oct 1, 2020

Good deeds, trips to the pumpkin patch and reader photos.

I LOVE FALL. I crave the excitement of a bountiful harvest, the smell of

roasting chiles, the vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves on the trees,
the chill in the mornings, the cozy sweaters and the beautiful hot air
balloons in our blue sky. Fall provides us with memories and traditions to
cherish.

Every year my family drives about 53 miles to McCall Land and Cattle
Co. in Moriarty, New Mexico, on a mission to find the perfect pumpkins.
The ranch turns into a huge pumpkin patch during the months of
September and October. As we drive out to the country, you can feel the
giddy anticipation coming from 13-yearold Anneliese, 5-year-old Andrew,
Lori (the kids’ mom), Grandma (that’s me) and even Papa, who is 80. It’s
a great way to celebrate the harvest season, the hard work of farmers
and gardeners, and the blessings of rain and rich soil.

Pulling our car into the parking lot, we’ve already mapped out where we
want to go. Anneliese’s favourite activity is going down the giant slide.
Andrew itches to get to the track to race a pedal kart. Lori loves animals,
so she’ll spend time at Bunnyville and the goat bridges. Papa envisions
a small white box filled with his favourite fall treat— chocolate fudge.

My plan? While they’re picking pumpkins, I’ll be in the Country Store,

undisturbed and unhurried. I love getting ideas for country decorating for
my home. There are lots of Halloween decorations to consider, too.

The patch has so much to do, eat and see for the young and young at
heart. Over the years the kids have played in the corn box, found their
way through the 16-acre corn maze, explored a fort or a princess castle,
ridden the cow train, fed the farm animals, launched a pumpkin, mined
for gemstones, and watched the pig races or the singing chickens show
—just for starters. Discover more activities at mccallpumpkinpatch.com.

GLORIA VALDEZ

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Vocabulary:

Good deeds – kindness, good actions

Patch – piece if something, yard
To crave – to want, to desire
Bountiful –kindsome, rich, щедрый
vibrant – bright
to provide – give
to cherish – to appreciate
ranch – farm
the giddy anticipation -dizzy (опьяненный) waiting
parking lot – parking place
map out – plan out

giant slide –
envision – imagine
treat – sweets

fudge – помадка

undisturbed and unhurried – peace and slowly

to consider – to think

young at heart – молодым душой

maze – labyrinth

gemstones -

corn box -
Bunnyville -

Princess castle

Cow train -