Let's have fun
By PAT WICK
(c) Another Day in the Country
When we came back to the country, we purposed to enjoy life. We were getting off the 9-to-5 treadmill and doing something different. Our challenge is, the longer we live here, the busier we get! We brought our natural penchant for doing-doing-doing with us and every once in a while we have to holler, "STOP! We're in the country. We're here to enjoy life!"
That first fall in the year 2000, we decided it would be fun to make scarecrows all over town. We beat the drums, went door to door, and managed to get a mini-tourist attraction going. While there were scarecrows in quite a few yards, truth was we made most of them!
The next year, 2001, we were in the midst of a family crisis come fall. We barely got scarecrows up in our own yard, let alone anywhere else.
When 2002 rolled around, we were in the midst of moving our parents here to Ramona and scarecrows were the last thing on our minds. We did get up a few — so did some others and we quietly enjoyed the view.
In 2003, we had a block party in Ramona. So along with scarecrows came corn shocks and pumpkin contests. "You never know what is going to catch on and stay," we said to each other. "Maybe it's the pumpkin thing?" We wondered.
Then this year, while we were scratching our heads for any inspiration with regard to scarecrows, the Utech family breezed into town for their annual family reunion. "We're putting up scarecrows at Erich's house," said Delores Siggs. "You'd better get over here if you want pictures," said Junior Hanschu.
We peered over at Erich's front yard — which for months now has been very quiet — and there were people everywhere. Some were watching, others were pounding stakes into the ground, two gals sat on the front steps drawing faces on pumpkins. They were putting up not one, but two scarecrows in Erich's yard. One was Erich and one was his good friend, Tony.
Junior Utech was directing the construction, "We need a little more waist and a little less chest," he hollered. "We don't have a woman here!" And the crew dutifully adjusted the hay. "Take a look at this," he said to me, brandishing a piece of wood with a cane attached, "Tony is gonna have a cane!"
It wasn't just the oldsters involved. Grandparents made sure their grandchildren each had a hand in stuffing hay into the overalls and shirts. "Here's how you do it," they instructed. "Come here, help us!" and the Kodak moments rolled on.
When they were finished they hung huge name tags on the scarecrows and Tony and Erich came out to pose for pictures with their effigies. Two dear friends standing side-by-side, one more time. Our eyes were misty. "Let's have a contest," Junior Utech said, "We're putting up a $50 prize for the best scarecrow in Ramona." It's happening folks! And they even have the judges picked out — they're from Tampa! Not only did the Utechs inspire us with renewed vigor to get our scarecrows up, they are inspiring the whole town!
Well, we went over to Green Acres (where we store all kinds of stuff) and looked around. "Our scarecrow has to be funny," Jess said, "They always have been — making fun of the California girls in the country." She spied her water ski, "What about this? We could have a skiing scarecrow!" "Then we have to have a boat to pull the skier," I said looking at Tooltime Tim, "you game?" What could he say? He went hunting for plywood. I went running for paint. And before you know it, we had Tooltime Tim's Frankmobile Boat in the front yard with him at the helm and us behind.
So how long does it take for an idea to catch on? Not overnight, but "It's happened," we said to one another with glee! "There are scarecrows appearing all over town." There's a lady scarecrow taking her baby for a stroll down Main Street. (Jeannie was the first to get the ball rolling.) There are scarecrows under hoods, under lawnmowers, and over at the barbershop. There are more appearing every day! It's another day in the country and you'll just have to see it to believe it — in Ramona.
