Jack O'Lantern Tells a Humanitarian Tale for the Season

Hello Grafted In Readers,
In keeping with the Fall observance of Thanksgiving in North America, the following story pays tribute to the pumpkin and other garden vegetables many enjoy. Account, places, and characterizations are fictitious, that is, they could occur in reality but may not. Enjoy as you read this tale.

Destined For The Palate
David Russell


My name is Jack O'Lantern. I was born in a laboratory at the Henry Fields Seed Company in Iowa. My conditions were rather sterile. I was dried out and packaged with other seeds.

A little while later, I was at the supermarket near Pharmington, Missouri. John Doyle, whom I understand to be a gardening eficinato purchased me and my companions. We were all O'Lanterns.

"This is the second year I have planted pumpkins, and donate them to the local Woman's Shelter in October. This year they are destined for national TV and the Food Network Hunger Project."

"That's very nice Mr. Doyle," said the clerk, as she bagged his purchase.

"Come back soon, it is always good to see you, sir."

A little while later on a sunny afternoon, Mr. Doyle had the baseball game playing on the radio near the garden. He put in the other plants first: onions, radishes, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, potatos, and us O'Lanterns.

"I will be back out to water you in a couple days," he said.

"Enjoy your new plots and grow faster than weeds please."

He then turned off the radio and whistled a happy tune as implements were returned to the garage.

Six weeks later it was mid July. The days had been sunny for the most part, nights varied from hot to comfortable. My fellow plants and we O'Lanterns shared quiet contemplation while crows cawed, what complainers they are. Robins sang, finches and cardinals played chase around the Doyle property.

Then unexpectedly thunder claps were heard. Rain started to fall that morning and increase with intensity as the hours passed.

Soon, something called hell or hail started to fall. Intermittent at first and then it too, intensified. I took a couple on the stem.

"Ouch, what's this all about?"

"I am glad to be underground," said the potatos.

"Yeah, your shell should protect you Jack," said the corn, knee-high like the fourth of July.

"Radishes are ruined. Carrots are not far behind," observed the potatos.

Looking at the house, hail was pelting and cracking the shingles on the rooftop. Where was Mr. Doyle?

Eventually the hail and storm gradually subsided. We O'Lanterns, and potatos were still alive!

Six weeks later we O'Lanterns were gently picked, packed and sent off to New York to be a part of the Food Network Thanksgiving Festivities. Arriving there, chef Elton Brown tapped me on the stem and bade me welcome.

"Sorry, you've been chopped," Tim Allen stated to a stack of onions he was slicing.

We were on the Thanksgiving TV show, then anesthetized, re-formed and put in pie crusts for hungry palates to enjoy.

End


Kevod Yeheveh, His presence create and fill your being with lasting joy!

Mellow Roc

Wherever Is Your Heart, (acoustic, Brandi Carlile)

Hello Grafted in Readers, and 24 followers!

Today is the beginning of a new month, October. Historically, it has been a good month for me in terms of life milestones.
-My wife and I had our first phone conversation on October 31, 1995 and made plans to go out for dinner a couple days later. Still having dinner 19 years later, thanks honey!
-My first job post college was a part-time gig playing piano at the former St. Clair Inn. October 1980.
-Just before October 1, 2015, the editor of Thumbprint News informed me my article about the local high school robotic club will be in their November edition! The article titled, "After School Special: Serving Robotics"
features information based on an interview with its overseer, teacher extraordinare, Jon Smith.
-Every year October brings more NFL football, the beginning of hockey season and the post-season playoffs and World Series for Major League Baseball! Love it!
-This week many of faith are observing what is known as the Fall Feast: other names include Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths, Harvest feast. It celebrates God protecting the Children of Israel during the wilderness wandering years that totaled 40, and God protecting us by allowing His Son, Yeshua, to offer His life for our sin; our imperfection treated by Messiah's death, burial, resurrection and now intercession for humanity! Circumstances in life change, but His presence and persona remain the same indefinitely!

It is regretful (my opinion) the main-line Christian church prefers to remain trenched in Roman Catholic dogma and tradition and honor the Pope nearly to the extent observed by Roman Catholic devotees. The liberal inclusivists ignore their Jewish Savior, Jewish heritage, Jewish flavor to the faith journey except to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem on their Christmas Eves. The neo-Catholics paint a picture of first century belief as one that improved once the gentiles were brought on board. At is core this is an anti-Jewish anti-Messianic theology!

Lutherans especially are now into schmoozing with the Catholic administration.... Ironic, they also celebrate the reformation and put their founder, Martin Luther on a pedastole while ignoring other important contemporaries of Martin. So their pastors can have it both ways; weekly communion, Catholic liturgy format, Catholic hymnedy. They will stop short of unifying with the RC or they would have to go through massive divorce. Enjoy your reformation traditions which are now eroded!
I submit to you, the Jesus of the main-line church is considerably different from the Yeshua of Holy Scripture!

Well, that's it for this visit, but glad you stopped by.
Kevod Yeheveh, His Presence accompany and redeem us evermore.
Email this to a friend if you think they may be interested.

Mellow Roc