Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.
He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside, awakens. Carl Jung

Monday, October 11, 2010

Pumpkin Patch & Consumerism?

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When I think pumpkin patch, I think simplicity.  When I say simplicity, I mean uncluttered, in harmony with nature, focusing on values that have meaning as opposed to superficial qualities and consumerism.  To be clear, I have bought into the consumer model.  I like nice clothes, hotels and “things”.  I have found though as I’ve gotten older that I am weary of taking care of those “things”.  And although I am glad for the owners’ success, yesterday @ a pumpkin patch I felt like I was at Disney.  The crowds were intense (as was the heat in October!), lines for food, face painting and horseback rides were at least an hour and this year there was even a charge for parking.  I didn’t take crowd shots so I can’t show you here.  Suffice it to say that a drive into the country was not the relaxing laidback day I was hoping for.  Regardless, we still had fun and I was able to capture a few good pictures.

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I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.  Henry David Thoreau

13 comments:

  1. Love the Thoreau quote. Makes me miss college days and reading Thoreau.

    Seems like everything has been commercialized, but I have a feeling the farmer did it to bring in the crowds and sell his pumpkins. Glad you were able to get some wonderful shots, though.

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  2. Dawn, what lovely photos. Is one of the girls your daughter?
    I chuckled when you talked about getting older. From my perspective, you're still so so young, but luckily so so wise. I don't believe wisdom comes with age.
    Anyway, glad you had a good time, and enjoyed your reflections.

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  3. I agree with you. I only took my kids one time to a patch. I couldn't stand all the people!!

    We do pick out a pumpkin from the store every year though and enjoy carving it in the peace of our own home:)

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  4. That last bit of poetry is painted on a piece of shale hanging in my living room. It's always the first thing that hits the wall when we've moved.

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  5. Nothing like a pumpkin farm in the fall. I have to agree with the others; I love the Thoreau quote. I was an English major in college. Helen is right, everything has become commercialized. However, as long as the kids (and big kids at heart) enjoy it, that's what matters. :)

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  6. Dawn I so know what you mean, my family and I have scouted for the "best" i.e. most simple Pumpkin farms in the area. There is one that has apple picking and a corn maze and a few "attractions" but they are mostly stuff you would see on any family farm. I guess if people enjoy the commercialism, that's fine for them, they're stimulating the economy. I prefer the simplicity of old traditions. I also love the Thoreau quote, funny I was just thinking about him today as I was picking stones for the garden. :)

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  7. At our crowded (carpeted) local mall they had felt-like pumpkins with plastic green vines everywhere - it was horrible. Consumerism ugh! has me so over Halloween at the moment. I'm with you and Thoreau - get me away from the crowds and as long as the pumpkin is flawed and real and in an empty pumpkin patch (I see you found one) I'm there. Thanks for sharing the pictures, I really enjoyed seeing the non-perfect pumpkins.

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  8. Is it consumerism if I admit I love the pumpkin spice latte at Starbuck's? But I promise swear cross my heart I buy real, flawed pumpkins.
    Lovely blog, Monkey Tribe SITS Sistah!

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  9. Oh wow! I would have never guessed the experience was such based on your photos. At least you got to capture some fall in pics. I also can stand to do without crowds. I was just thinking of taking the kids to a larger pumpkin patch like this, but now I'm rethinking it! :)

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  10. Your blog is beautiful, I am so glad I joined the #monkeytribe! The photos were great and although it may have felt like Disney, I am sure your kids enjoyed it all and will carry that memory with them forever!~Lisa

    I am all a twitter about life

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  11. Love the Thoreau quote! Visiting from SITS Hare Group - and totally agree with you - I like nice things, too - yet Alpha Hubby and I are now declutterig and simplifying our live 'cause we're tired ot taking care of stuff! I keep my favorite or irreplacable things and donate the rest! More peaceful life! Great post!

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  12. So good to see you all! Thoreau's quote seems to resonate with many & yet I'm with Pamlea ~ it's hard to turn down the Starbucks of our world:)
    Myrna ~ They are both my daughters. I have a 9 year old & 22 year old. And thanks for calling me young:)

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  13. Hi,

    I believe everything is commercialized. Its become a part of life. I've realize these past months that living a simple life is the only way to go. At least you were able to take some great peaceful pictures despite Disney craziness around you.

    Thanks for coming by and commenting on my review.

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