A dozen hearty souls from our little community set out on a big adventure to the pumpkin patch today intent on enjoying the lovely fall weather and fresh air.
Though we did not run and climb on the giant critters and scarecrows made from hay, we did climb aboard a tractor-drawn hay wagon, which carried us around Queen Anne Farm. On this pleasant journey, we enjoyed the amazing harvest colors of the leaves, the giant vibrant-yellow sunflowers, the beauty of the rolling hillside of this farm located in southern Maryland and yes, the glorious weather and fresh air. “Everyone got really excited to see cotton growing,” says Francine Whitley our activities director, “most of us have never seen it growing and the fluffy white cotton peeking shyly from the seedpods was quite a sight. In fact, one Resident even asked if it was real as she reached out a hand to touch it.” I have learned that cotton’s scientific name is Gossypium (Go-sippy-um), which sounds as if you are telling a toddler to take a drink.
As everyone heads over to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins, several Residents and Sr. Ophelia duck inside a 12-foot tall pumpkin to snap some photos. No, it isn’t a real pumpkin but it is impressive in color and sheer size. Next, everyone stops at the petting zoo to see the lambs and goats.
The seven Residents on this trip — with a collective age of 559 years — have seen a lot of change during their lives. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that for some Residents the highlight of the day was shopping in a quaint old-fashioned country store — buying apple butter, preserves, apples, local honey, garlic, gourds and decorative corn. “It was such a beautiful day,” shares Constantina, “I really enjoyed being outside in the country and loved shopping in the little store.”
