When we moved here, there were only 2 houses on this street. In the other house live 2 brothers, Randy and Bob. Although, we call him Boob because when he first introduced himself he said "Hi, My name's Bob, but Daddy used to call me Boob." That was the kind of statement that makes you wonder if he wants to be called Boob. We've made friends with Randy and Boob which they like since I think many people in town remember them for their wild younger days. Luckily we missed those and they are now fairly mellow in their late 60s.

Randy and Boob grow pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers every summer and sell them on their picnic table out in front with a sign reading "Fuddy Duddy Ranch." The first summer, when Ted and I started growing pumpkins, Randy would come over on his 4-wheeler "Bertha" and check out our pumpkins. Naturally, this turned into a competition. Despite Randy's threats to sneak over under the cover of darkness and cut the stems, Ted won the first year with a 75 pounder.

Ted, Randy, & Bertha with the 2004 winner.

We felt a little guilty winning with access to better seeds. So since then, I buy the seeds and start them in pots, then distribute them, which might be more than fair! Since 2004, Randy has "squashed" Ted in the competition. Since he was winning, he even raised the stakes from a 6 pack of Budweiser in cans to a bottle of Black Velvet (I know you're cringing). Part of this was due to these awful bugs that ate our plants. Finally this year I sought the advice of loal organic gardening experts and we were armed with some natural powder and the book on growing giant pumpkins from my dad. Success! That combined with moving our patch yielded a 155 pounder, even with the rains that basically wiped out Randy's patch. Ted is thrilled and Randy paid up with some Michelob Light! (Is that a step above or below Budweiser?)

The 2008 competition winner on display.

Randy doesn't look as good as he did in 2004. He had a stroke earlier this year and has slowed down significantly. Our parents are only a few years younger than Randy and Boob, but have not led such hard lives. It is interesting to see the differences, especially with smoking. Both Randy and Boob have tried to quit but have been smoking since they were 11 years old. They have both been married and divorced twice and now live in the house where they grew up. Randy did not come over on Bertha this summer nearly as much as in previous years.