Awesome archway
@GardenGerty (169406)
United States
September 9, 2017 8:53pm CST
At the zoo today we passed under this awesome archway. Gourds and mini pumpkins were planted on each side of the path and were allowed to climb over a trellis of fencing. You can see the gourds handing down. They looked like giant green ornaments.
There was a sign posted asking people not to pick them as they were there for all to enjoy.
My mother planted this type of gourd when I was little. She let them dry and painted them with bright enamel paints and we played with them as maracas. Sometimes they grow with curved "handles" as well. This type of gourd, when dried, can be cut to be a water dipper. I have also seen them with small openings drilled so that they serve as bird houses.
I had forgotten the gourds mom grew. That was about sixty years ago, but seems like yesterday.
9 people like this
8 responses
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I had the age discussion with my 37 year old daughter, cause I remember looking forward to forty, but lost the last twenty years. She says it is because I take care of others. I wish my body was as young as my mind. My young friends here keep me younger. I do not know if Oklahoma has any free zoos, as a kid we would go to the Will Rogers Rose Gardens, there. I understand it is not a safe place anymore.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
10 Sep 17
@GardenGerty The only zoo I have ever been to in Oklahoma was the Oklahoma City Zoo, and it wasn't free. My sister has a summer pass for the Tulsa zoo because my niece likes it so much.
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
10 Sep 17
What great memories your trip to the zoo brought back. I have seen people make many things from gourds. I have never tried it but maybe I should try making something from them. I am glad you have the memories of the things your mom made.
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@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I have seen places that sold "apple" gourds that looked like giant apples. They do crafts with them or paint them like apples or pumpkins.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (24417)
• Palisade, Colorado
10 Sep 17
@GardenGerty That would be neat. I am going to start watching for them. I saw a lot t yard sales this year and didn't think anything about them.
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 Sep 17
Love those kind of memories. I planted gourds a few years back, I adore them.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
10 Sep 17
It's wonderful when a small, unexpected thing triggers good childhood memories.
I love those little gourds too. They are great to use as decorations in the Fall, whether you paint them or not. There are so many shapes and colors, some striped, speckled, plain. Fun!
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@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Sep 17
I think I want to visit a pumpkin patch this year, as they always have a variety of gourds as well.
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@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
10 Sep 17
Now that you mention those, I seem to recall those painted ones too when I was little..somewhere, maybe in a festival at school or something. That is a lovely archway Heather.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
10 Sep 17
That is entirely possible. They would also be pretty with wood burning designs on them.
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