Rumors of maggots stuck inside chocolaty treats ran rampant on the internet this week, but they didn’t faze me. What really frightens me is doing math or art in front of other people. The people I work with are super nice, and they’re all artistic. They’re like, incredibly talented and enjoy getting together to create. So, our director bought polyurethane pumpkins that we could carve or paint. Of course, I was hoping for maggots instead, but I decided I’d prep for the occasion—not run and hide, but eek out a new experience.
After watching hours of ambient fall pumpkin patches on TV, I decided I’d paint some magical little green vines spiraling around an orange pumpkin. In other words, I imagined this:
And I thought: How hard could it be? In the lounge, I found my perfect pumpkin, lots of brushes, and paint, and I sat down next to my copywriting buddies, and got to work. Occasionally, I looked up to see that someone painted a HAMBURGER!!! A realistic-looking hamburger, with buns, meat, cheese—everything. And one of my copywriting co-workers made an incredible scene FROM A BOOK onto her pumpkin!!
But I kept after the vines with my brush and in fifteen minutes ripped out what I consider “my best.” Sure, the design doesn’t show a lot of “controlled movement,” but I probably couldn’t get those writhing maggots out of my head, so they may have transferred from my brush to the pumpkin.
I’ll never forget the look on Nate’s face when I brought it home:
Me: Honey! Look! I call it, “My best.”
Nate: Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!
In any case, I had fun and found the project relaxing—and I’m proud enough of it to display it in the living room. It captures the beauty and unexpected larvae of the season.
Your Turn: What’s a project you find relaxing?
Fixin' Leaks and Leeks 
I find sewing projects relaxing, but I have had time to do any in quite some time. No maggots involved.
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I’ve heard that maggots tend to stay away from sewing projects. I think more heroes in horror movies should be armed with knitting needles and a big ball of yarn when confronted with maggots. 🙂
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I can attest to the fact that I have never been attacked by maggots whilst sewing.
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I laughed out loud at “unexpected larvæ”. At least maggots have a use with feeding on necrotic wound tissue and cleaning up infected wounds. Medical maggots are a marvel.
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Medical maggots sound magnificent! 🙂
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It’s so cute! I made little wooden Christmas presents and decorated them the other day. I’m not usually very crafty but they turned out pretty well 😊
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Those sound amazing!!!
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I’ll send you a pic!
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Yes, please! 🙂
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I’m not very crafty or handy – something I very much admire Kim others – but getting household bits done (for example organizing covers for electrical cords, fixing dings or nicks, etc) is very satisfying.
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That’s supposed to say “admire in others.” I don’t know who Kim is but she crept in in a very Halloweeny way. 🎃
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Love it when a Krafty Kim makes it into the comments 🙂
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Yes! Organizing does feel very satisfying.
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Jigsaw puzzles always chill me out
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Those are so fun to do–especially on a wintry day.
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I love knitting, very relaxing for me
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Sounds lovely! 🙂
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Cooking, obviously, but also working with beads and jewelry is very calming. Love your pumpkins!
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I do love working with beads and jewelry–so fun!
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It’s really not bad at all! And, omg, all the maggot references. Of course you were hoping for maggots. And “the beauty and unexpected larvae of the season.” Too funny. I’m glad you enjoyed making this, and hey, free pumpkin!
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