After the rain

Well, the rains finally let up in New Jersey this weekend. We sent out a dove, and it came back with an olive branch--or rather, a pumpkin. After seven days of slogging through downpours while walking the dog (during which Edith became a pro at helping to hold the umbrella) we jumped at the opportunity to enjoy some proper fall-like activties. So yesterday we took Edith to Terhune Orchards to pick a pumpkin. We knew of Terhune Orchards by reputation as the local place to pick berries, apples, and pumpkins in season. What we didn't know was that they were fully outfitted to cater to a harvest-season family crowd. The barn had been filled with elaborate scenes featuring figures made out of straw: the Headless Horseman, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and his wife, the original Jack for whom the devil made the lantern. There was a corn maze (which looked like it was still a mud pit, so we skipped it). There were painted scenes of Halloween figures and barnyard animals into which children could insert their heads from behind and have their pictures taken. There were sheep, goats, and a pony to pet. There was a wooden cow with a rubber udder to practice milking. There were miniature pumpkins to paint. There was a Celtic band keeping toes tapping. And of course, there were pumpkins and apples and cider doughnuts and pies and squash and all kinds of goodies. And except for the food, everything was free. So we had a great time. Because we still live in the film age, pictures will be available several weeks from now. (We've added some photos retroactively to past posts, too.)

Today Edith and I did the CROP walk. It was windy, but she was a trooper. And she had her stroller pushed part of the way by a Masai man in full native dress. He works for CROP's national headquarters in New York but lives near Princeton, so he decided to join our walk. His baby son was going to participate, too, but was asleep when they arrived. So his wife stayed with the baby at the starting point, and he adopted Edith as his substitute baby. He was a warm, gracious person and took great interest in whomever walked near him. He talked about his own work, too, and about his family. At one point he mentioned that his son was 25" when he was born. A true Masai...