Pixipixil, I wondered about the bubbling of the skin after I completed the puzzle, so I googled to find out.

What Causes Warts on Pumpkins? No, these aren't afflicted with some heinous disease; they are actually genetically engineered to create bumpy pumpkin fruit. It is actually natural and not unusual for pumpkins to have bumps, but years of selective breeding have weeded out this natural tendency until what we view as the norm are unblemished pumpkins. Over the course of ten years of selective breeding, the brand Super Freak has released their most wart-riddled pumpkins to date, Knuckle Head pumpkins. These are genetically designed to be 12-16 pounds of lumpy, bumpy, perfectly sized for carving especially, and deliciously creepy. Gargoyle and Goosebumps are other varieties of warty pumpkin.

Other Reasons for Bumpy Pumpkin Fruit is the Mosaic virus. It can turn a smooth pumpkin into a lumpy one. The lumps in this case look like they arise from under the skin of the pumpkin. Mosaic infection is spread by aphids results in smaller leaves and vines as well as leaves with dark and light blotching. Are the bumpy pumpkins edible? While unsightly, mosaic afflicted pumpkins can still be eaten, although they may be of lesser quality than unaffected fruit.

Insects munching on tender young pumpkin shells can also scar the surface resulting in bumps.

Lastly, bumpy pumpkin fruit may be caused by edema. Edema is most often seen in cool, wet growing years. Unlike Mosaic virus, edema isn't a disease; it is caused by the absorption of too much water. The plant needs to rid itself of the excess but the cool weather conditions don't allow it to transpire through its leaves or turn it into more fruit or plant. As the plant cells swell with water, they enlarge and burst. The resulting area heals, forming a scar that is dry, corky and raised.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Bumpy Pumpkin Fruit: Find Out What Causes Warts On Pumpkins https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/bumpy-pumpkin-fruit.htm

Thanks workined. That was interesting...especially the part where the pumpkin has no good way to shen extra water.

Picked this one to brighten a rainy day. Doing better on it--17:46. Still not in top 10 tho.

Lol Are you "out of your gourd" crazy?

Yes, I probably am. I went to a craft fair last December and there was a vendor there who made "gourdgeous" ornaments from gourds. Of course, I had to buy one for me and a couple as gifts. They were indeed gourdgeous.

I like that play on words. When I was a kid, we use to make maracas out of gourds. I've seen some painted very nicely too.