According to the AP, a serious pumpkin shortage exists this holiday season. Check out the full article here.

The pumpkin farm cited in the article is about 40 minutes from here. I drive by fields every day that are still in the ground unharvested. Not good.

What does this mean to us as Thansgiving pie eaters? It means a lot of pushing and shoving at the markets for what little pumpkin is available. It means clawing and grasping for any can of pumpkin you can get, including those that are dented, or have torn and missing labels – the cans which are typically shunned. Oh yes, you who have for so long mocked the malformed cans of pumpkin each holiday season, now you will come crawling back, begging forgiveness and hoping to bring just one ugly can home.

This also means that when the family gathers round for dessert after the giant Thanksgiving meal, a slow cloud of disappointment will descend on the eager faces as they realize there is but one pumpkin pie for all, rather than two or even three. The pretense of the loving family unit flies out the window when Junior is battling Grandma for a slice of pie. Oh sure, there are other options for dessert. But come on! It’s Thanksgiving. You know that if you don’t get your ample slice of pumpkin pie with Cool Whip dolloped on top, it’s just another Thursday featuring a big meal.

You’ll wonder “How did this happen?” as you watch your Aunt slip down the hallway to the bathroom, having secreted a piece away under her shawl. You never really liked her anyway, but to think that she would steal a piece of pie and hide away to scarf it down is just a bit too much. Now you understand why she only sent you homemade bookmarks for your birthday every year, despite the fact that she seemingly drives a new Cadillac to every family function. Oh, the hypocrisy!

Didn’t anyone else learn anything from the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special? Didn’t anyone else feel Peppermint Patty’s shame after she ranted about the inadequacies of the meal Snoopy had prepared? Didn’t anyone else’s heart melt as Marcie helped smooth things over and save the holiday?

I think I’m just going to sit back and wait for the Christmas spirit to kick in.