Pumpkin This and Pumpkin That

Here’s a pumpkin, there’s a pumpkin and everywhere I turn is pumpkin.

Do I like it?  Of course.  Who doesn’t?  But I think it put me over the edge when I saw pumpkin-flavored shredded wheat.  What doesn’t come in pumpkin now?

Let’s talk a little bit about these pumpkins.  The meaning of the word pumpkin actually means large melon and yes, in all actuality, it is a fruit even though many refer to it as a vegetable.

Did you know that their color can be more than just orange?  Pumpkins can be yellow, white, green and even red, and we all know from the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival how they can vary in size!

Pumpkin candles, pumpkin decorations and endless pumpkin foods!

The plain ole pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin seeds and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” are enough  for me, but somehow we have become obsessed with pumpkin everything.

Pumpkins have many health benefits from improving eyesight and aiding in weight loss to boosting your immune system. I admit, generally, they are quite delicious.

The thing is, we have expanded so much with pumpkin flavoring that I ask myself—has it been overdone?  Too much of a good thing?  Does it lessen our appreciation for what used to be?  But now, we have lattes and such, and is it really necessary to have pumpkin flavored gum?

It used to be that from September until after Thanksgiving, we were surrounded by pumpkins, but is becoming more and more a year round celebratory flavor and scent. My appreciation will continue to be seasonal and for those year round pumpkin lovers, congratulations, I think it’s here to stay!  So, enjoy your pumpkin this or that no matter the time of year.