Carrie writes:

“We have been experimenting the last few years with Seminoles and find that starting them at the base of a tree, rather then in the open, made the most vigorous, productive vines. They love big, honkin’ piles mulch, too. When the temps reach over 100 degrees, our Seminoles seemed to grow in rebellion to the heat! We grow them quite large, 12″ to 18″ across.”

I have also noticed that Seminole pumpkins that grow from the previous year’s compost pile do much better than those planted on purpose. With their weedy, rampant growth pattern, I wonder if the variety was lackadaisically cultivated by the Indians, growing around the edges of settlements where wastes were discarded. My friend Mark told me he had to cut back his vines because they were aggressively taking over his back yard.

This year I have some of Mark’s Seminole pumpkin seeds, as well as seeds from a few other friends. It’s going to be wonderful growing them again. It’s probably time to get started on ground prep.

This temperate climate thing is crazy… I am really not used to having to spend so much time planning out my planting times! The tropics spoiled me. We could literally go out and plant any time we wanted. Now I have to plan again.

On Friday we planted two 60′ rows of potatoes. We were going to do more yesterday but it was in the 40s and drizzling rain all day, so our farming plans got put off. Today we would be going to church, except that our van is in the shop so we’re stuck at home. The Lord must have His reasons. Our vehicle died in the driveway last Sunday morning as we were ready to go to church, so this is our second Sunday at home. I hope we will be able to go back this coming Sunday.

As for farming, looks like we’ll attack that tomorrow. A lot needs to get done – and fast!

How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with [d]pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

-Psalm 84, NKJV