new halloween traditions

country pumpkin

We had never been to a pumpkin patch before living in Nebraska. Our first visit was short and cold. It wasn’t until our daughter was a little older that we discovered all the fun things our local pumpkin place had to offer. It quickly became a tradition with different friends and different levels of play as she got older. This year she decided that she might be too old for tradition, so we came up with something new.

country pumpkin

country pumpkin

On Sunday afternoon we drove west toward Sutton to a little store called the Country Pumpkin. I found out about it from a friend on facebook. We avoided the interstate and played music. We learned you’re not too old to say “cow” and “train” when you see them. We discovered pumpkin soft serve ice cream.

country pumpkin

country pumpkin

The store is small and cute. The trip is long enough to be fun and relaxing without being too much. The squash are out of this world. Upon leaving, our daughter declared, “Let’s do this again next year!” Another tradition is born.

country pumpkin

pink power

Me: How are you doing? A little nervous?
Her: Yeah.
Me: Is it because you’ve never been to a march before?
Her: Yeah.
Me: Does it help to know that I haven’t either?
Her: Really?
Me: I never felt like I had to before.

I finished knitting around midnight and put the hat on my head. It looked ridiculous. I figured I’d take it anyway and maybe give it away. The next morning my daughter encouraged me to wear it. Pictures came in from all over the world: a sea of pink. I live in a small blue dot in a very big red state. It feels lonely sometimes. Today it did not.

Lots of people are uncomfortable with the name of this hat. However enough people were comfortable electing a man who uses it to the highest office in our country. I did a quick search on Facebook for the word vulgar. It’s amazing how many Trump supporters did not like women using the word pussy today. I can’t quite figure that out.

This week I heard something on the radio that has stuck with me: marches don’t change policy, but they create a movement, they start a conversation. I like that. And I’m glad I wore my #Pussyhat.

trago sprayground

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We already have summer-like heat in Nebraska. It seems we’ve skipped Spring and went straight to 90 degrees. I’ve been trying to make sure we do lots of water-related activities, even though that’s not really my thing. My daughter is super happy, though!

This was our first trip to the sprayground at Trago Park. I highly recommend it.
(Also, it’s free!)