Mirth and Musings Part 13

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I bid you all a wonderful, magical, terrifying, spooky, surprising, delectable, beguiling, bewitching, shivers down your spine All Hallows Eve!  Hope at the end of it you all get what you were hoping for, with a fair share of surprises along the way.  No haunt for me this year, finances prevented, but for the first time in years I am out and about.  Trying new things can be exciting, though I admit to some trepidation as I venture beyond the yard.  I will miss the doorbells and knocks, the shrieks and costume parade.  As the curtain rises on all the hard work of you Haunters out there I will light candles (placed inside pumpkins) to your diligence, creativity, and perseverance.    I applaud you all and wish you well.  See you on the other side.

Mirth and Musings Part 12 – Waxing Nostalgic

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Going to age myself a bit here, but couldn’t help it.  While sorting through my TNY  collection this Charles E. Martin cover made me smile wistfully as I remembered something from my childhood; something I couldn’t wait for when school days began in September as Halloween usually prompted the first one of the year.  The classroom party.  The chalkboard covered with the list of necessaries for a decent shindig and Mrs. Gresham or Mr. Argast signing up kids next to each one, invariably the “paper plates and napkins” and “cups” would go to that same kid in the front row whose arm would shoot up the moment the teacher asked.  I don’t know, maybe he was baking challenged.  The rest of us divvied up the cookies, brownies, other varied treats of no name, bottles of pop, etc for the Friday party. I remember classroom games, like heads up seven up and chalkboard hangman.  I remember a parade of students walking around the quad proudly displaying homemade costuming.  Teachers dressed as their alter egos (or true natures) best suggested.  Trick or treating room to room with each classroom decked out along its own theme.  The truncated lessons to make time to just enjoy the holiday undiminished by political correctness.  Madcap and mayhem would eventually ensue in the sugar tide, everyone going home clutching a paper plate with various goodies to enjoy over the weekend shared with family, if they survived the bus ride or walk home that is.

With Eyes That Know

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The title for this post is a line from the Don Mclean song written for quite another Vincent, but I thought it appropriate here in deference to this amazing collective by the Del Valle Archives.  Click pic to take you to the site but beware its for diehards only, as its a bit of a process to acquire from this collection.  Worth the effort, let me assure you.  While the anniversary of his death is later this month, this can serve as a reminder, should any be needed, that there is much of October left to enjoy his movies and legacy.  I am off to watch Laura, where he delights in my favorite of his character roles.  Mmmm, Noir!

Monster Ball Imminent…

-DHM Delort Std editon set_zps4xdr56wy

 

These spectacular images designed by Nico Delort for Dark Hall Mansion go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday October 13! This collection is a masterwork of theme and design and are certain to sell out quickly.  For more information on this incredible set, visit the DHM site.  Pic is clickable.  Check their blog for more information.  Don’t wait to get yours.  I won’t.

Mirth and Musings Part 11

A lovely New Yorker cover from my collection. Edna Eicke has captured a wonderful moment.  Everything the night should be, the “ghosts” peering through the gate to judge if the walk is worth the risk.  I think the lighted windows highlighting the porch seal the deal.  I love the importance of the porch, the threshold, the approach to the door.  So much anticipation, exhilaration, consternation.  You get it.  Sometimes with haunters its meant to be a very long walk, even when its a hop, skip and jump to the door from the sidewalk.  Like running the bases through a gauntlet, real or imagined.  With only the thought of reaching the porch, the door, safety always to be found at home, even if for just a moment, someone else’s.  A lovely tradition I think.  Thanksgiving has the turkey shared with family and friends, Christmas gets the tree with thoughtful gifts to be given out amongst nearest and dearest.  On Halloween we invite neighbors and strangers alike to our doors.  We wait upon the knock, the doorbell, we pause and savor the shrieks and hesitant approach of children and adults through the keyhole or from between the blinds.  The magical ‘say “trick or treat!” and enter’ that signals a kindred spirit whereupon we open our doors and distribute rewards for stopping by.  Simply marvelous.

NYH

Countdown to Halloween

Countdown to Halloween is alive and well and if you click on the Frankenstein badge to the right it will take you to the listing of over 150 halloween blogsites!! Wow, so if you’ve got a spare minute or two this Season, check them out, there’s something for everyone.  It’s my third year on their list and its been a blast every year.   Always lots to discover! Happy Halloween.  Indeed.