PUMPKIN CARVING
This is an appropriate story as we approach Halloween, it exemplifies how Dad looked at issues. He used his common sense to tackle many problems, not all his solutions turned out this well. We will all remember some of the busts and always have a chuckle recalling them.
Several years ago Jack and Joan were visiting us in the middle of October and we were getting ready for Halloween. Eddie, our first child, was 3 years old and definitely getting into the Halloween experience. My wife, Ann, who is also a kid at heart, was right in the mix with Eddie. Ann was feeding off of Eddie’s enthusiasm and really getting into the spirit of the holiday. The big pumpkin carving ordeal was beginning and Ann had Eddie looking through magazines deciding which pumpkin design he wanted for his own. Of course, those designs can never be duplicated in real life! After what seemed like hours, Eddie had his pumpkin sketched out with a marker. It was up to me to follow the lines exactly not missing a single detail and taking no short cuts. After careful evaluation of the design and kitchen tools available to me, not to mention the hours this task would take, I quickly came to the conclusion that this was an impossible task. I definitely rained on Ann and Eddie’s parade. A few kind words were exchanged while tensions grew. Jack and Joan sat back very quietly. I’m sure they chuckled to themselves having been through this with me and my four sisters.
Jack disappeared for a few minutes, only to return with an extension cord and my electric jigsaw. Grabbing the pumpkin, he used the saw to skillfully carve out the fine details as outlined by Ann and Eddie. In minutes, he finished all the pumpkins, and we were admiring the lighted masterpieces. We received many compliments on the Evans’ pumpkins that year, and everyone wanted to know how we were able to carve them.
The jigsaw is still used at Halloween in our house, and we would never think of going back to the old fashioned method of hand cutting. This solution has become a family Halloween tradition. Try it!
-Ed Evans |
