Hi

at 09/23/09 8:58PM
I'm alive.

Things are good.

Sorry I never communicate...

anyhoo,

just "Hi"!
  • the_gaffer
    I'm glad that things are good! Has the flu been affecting people up yhere yet? It is nailing people almost randomly around here.
    by the_gaffer at 09/24/09 8:16AM
  • sharon
    hello!
    by sharon at 09/24/09 2:08PM
  • gmajo
    And hi back at ya. Thanks for the song. I noticed that Arban got quiet when you finished singing.
    by gmajo at 09/29/09 7:23PM

11/21/07 8:46PM

Hi everybody,
Here's a link to a great clip of the MA pumpkin paddle. It's a promo for the local news show "Chronicle", which aired it's story about the paddle tonight.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/14661609/index.html

We'll be receiving a copy of the actual show (which features a Texan named Jim Bob Sanford), so we'll find a way to make it available to you.




I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.
  • jessa
    That's great! Have a good Thanksgiving.
    by jessa at 11/21/07 9:11PM
  • the_gaffer
    Great! Swimming with the hat on is classic!
    by the_gaffer at 11/21/07 10:13PM
  • sharon
    Great!! Thanks for sharing!
    by sharon at 11/21/07 11:26PM
  • sharon
    snail :)
    by sharon at 11/23/07 9:05AM
  • diannes
    Thanks for the photo booklet of the "paddle". Great pictures.
    by diannes at 12/18/07 5:39PM
  • diannes
    Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    by diannes at 12/31/07 4:43PM
  • jessa
    Thanks for the calendar, Love it.!!!! Jean, under Jessa's name, oops
    by jessa at 01/10/08 4:29PM
  • jessa
    How are you?
    by jessa at 04/03/08 9:24PM
  • xenobe
    do you ever answer your phone?
    by xenobe at 04/22/08 12:06PM
  • the_gaffer
    or blog?
    by the_gaffer at 04/22/08 3:26PM
  • xenobe
    Jane, look at Bob's blog picture. : )
    by xenobe at 05/11/08 2:32AM
  • nontradish
    Vote today, please. See my blog.
    by nontradish at 07/08/08 4:59AM
  • the_gaffer
    Give us a pumpkin report, please. The armadillos ate my attempts.
    by the_gaffer at 08/02/08 4:38AM
  • xenobe
    and my attempt grew huge vine with no fruit :( Where have all the bees gone?
    by xenobe at 09/03/08 3:34PM
  • the_gaffer
    They are down here!
    by the_gaffer at 09/03/08 5:42PM
  • sharon
    Hey aunt Jane!! It's a year later and I am curious about this year's pumkin paddle. Do tell!!!!
    by sharon at 10/04/08 1:33PM
  • sharon
    I checked the website and it wasn't updated for this year. Is it still on?
    by sharon at 10/04/08 1:34PM
  • the_gaffer
    Well! A comment! There is an epic poem in the works, would you like to hear it?
    by the_gaffer at 04/07/09 7:19PM
  • the_gaffer
    In fact, it's posted!
    by the_gaffer at 04/08/09 1:01AM

Go Sox!!!

at 10/25/07 9:01PM

923

at 10/06/07 9:08PM
Announcing the 923(dmg) Fitzgerald 2007.


923 = weight
dmg = damaged status (weight is official, just not eligible for competition).
Fitzgerald = grower
2007 = year


Current status: rotting in the back of the pick up. (Eew)
  • sharon
    Is it eligible to put on the family tree of pumpkin seeds?
    by sharon at 10/06/07 9:35PM
  • the_gaffer
    Shucks!
    by the_gaffer at 10/07/07 6:12AM
  • teach
    Craig discovered that the bottom was very soft about 4 days ago. We were devastated, and assumed it wouldn't make it to the weigh-off. When the lifting team came over as planned anyway, we were able to load it upside down (very ugly), and it made it to Rhode Island without coming completely apart. It's OK that it wasn't eligible. We were pretty happy that it was weighed, and so heavy.
    by teach at 10/07/07 11:48AM
  • teach
    It won't be a boat though. Today it is mush in the compost pile.
    by teach at 10/07/07 11:49AM
  • teach
    Craig only saved one seed, and he doesn't plan on growing it.
    by teach at 10/07/07 11:49AM
  • sharon
    Oh that's awful. I'm so glad you got to get it weighed--wow! Will Uncle Craig still get to paddle one next Sunday?
    by sharon at 10/07/07 3:42PM
  • teach
    No, it was really OK! We're just excited about it being 923! Craig's up there with the big boys. He'll still have one to paddle.
    by teach at 10/07/07 6:12PM
  • diannes
    Poor pumpkin. That is huge!!!! I wish I could be there. Maybe, next year. The is a judging school, I am required to attend this weekend. Take lots of pictures.
    by diannes at 10/09/07 11:25AM
  • the_gaffer
    Round up a broomstick for me to hang that flag on!
    by the_gaffer at 10/09/07 1:02PM
  • sharon
    Did ya have a gourd time?
    by sharon at 10/15/07 9:28PM
  • the_gaffer
    What was the final take?
    by the_gaffer at 10/19/07 2:14AM
  • xenobe
    I'm here
    by xenobe at 10/21/07 10:26PM
  • emmywoo
    glitter graphics
    by emmywoo at 10/31/07 8:29AM
  • diannes
    The pictures of the pumpkin paddle showed some wonderful times were had by all. Wish I could've come.
    by diannes at 11/01/07 1:53PM
  • xenobe
    Are you around anymore....see what happens, I try to type more and my sis quits.........did u get my card?
    by xenobe at 11/04/07 2:44AM
  • teach
    Yes. I love it. So you're a pack rat, too, huh?
    by teach at 11/06/07 9:36PM
  • teach
    Emily, I love my halloween picture! Thanks!
    by teach at 11/06/07 9:36PM
  • teach
    The MA Pkin Paddle brought in right around $2400, to be donated to Rutland Recreation dept, and the children's dept. of the Rutland library. Yay!
    by teach at 11/06/07 9:37PM
  • the_gaffer
    I'm glad that I got to have a small hand in that!
    by the_gaffer at 11/07/07 6:13AM
  • xenobe
    Happy Gobble-Gobble to everyone
    by xenobe at 11/21/07 7:54PM

I'm alive.

at 09/17/07 8:54PM
Welp, I didn't get a teaching job, other than continuing with my private trumpet students.

&*%^%#^@*I^^&$!!! :( , among other things.

But, I did begin work in a realty office. So far it's kind of interesting. Very relaxed - jeans and t shirt kind of place.

I love teaching, and constantly thinking of new ways to get something across, but I'm truly enjoying being able to leave work at work. It's a very strange, new feeling. Of course the pay reflects this...

Having a schedule is good for me though. I had become pretty bogged down. I'm still digging my way back out of the black hole, but at least I feel like digging, a little.

So, the news you've really been waiting for:

Approximately 800 lbs.

Yes, The Pumpkin.
800.
lbs.

At this point, we're just trying to keep from going crazy worrying that it will rot before the weigh-offs and pumpkin paddle. It's amazing how much anxiety a fruit can cause.


Craig has been doing a phenomenal job organizing the pumpkin paddle this year. He has so many sponsors and raffle donors, volunteers, publicity, etc. Our only concern is that too many people will show up. Last year there wasn't really enough parking. We'll see.


It's funny how everyone seems to have heard of him, too. "Oh, so you're married to the pumpkin guy"? People are figuring this out with less and less info to go by. I was chatting with a woman in a grocery line about my neice Sarah, and how she plans ahead which school lunches she is going to buy. The woman made the leap from Sarah to "the pumpkin guy's wife" before I mentioned my name. I wonder how many degrees of separation Craig is from Kevin Bacon?

OK, I'm obviously getting tired and silly. Goodnight all.





I can't wait for my October visitors. Woohoo! I wish my house was bigger so I could offer (more) lodging.


  • sharon
    Will cross my fingers and toes for Mr. pumpkin! You're such a celebrity. Can I have your autograph?
    by sharon at 09/17/07 9:59PM
  • teach
    Only if you come and get it.
    by teach at 09/17/07 10:33PM
  • terra
    i wish i could come up there!
    by terra at 10/03/07 5:28AM
  • sharon
    How is the pumpkin doing?
    by sharon at 10/03/07 12:20PM