Mirth and Monsters

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Something to think about…first, apologies for lack of posts recently, I am in Southern California and when the blowing winds aren’t causing power shut-downs which means no computer, and often when power is up, no internet, there are evacuations caused by fires.  It’s been difficult to get to posting and now we are at the end, though, thankfully, even with the fire line in sight, there are still trick or treaters up and down our streets, a calming vision of contentment amidst chaos.  When you all close your doors this evening and reflect on the nights frivolities, follies and frights, keep in mind the resplendence of such simple pleasures as to be found on the other side of a door knock, the catharsis of carving a jack o’ lantern, the pleasurable problem of wondering if you’ve bought enough candy.  Tomorrow will bring a new set of challenges and I for one will be grounded by tonights event.  For those of you wishing to extend the season that bit longer, may I recommend for your perusal the book Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kroger and Melanie Anderson, a 2019 Quirk Books publication.  Pick it up anywhere online or brick and mortar, downloadable or hardcover, but be sure to treat yourself to its spirited illustrations, lively writing, and deadly wit.  To Countdown to Halloween and its fearless leader J.R., please accept my sincere gratitude for all you have done these many years past for your wonderful site which helps to connect Halloween bloggers.  For all of you out there in the dark, please accept my great hope that your Halloween is both mirth and monsterful!

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Deny, perhaps, but don’t Delay

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If you find yourself with nothing better to do this weekend than staring longingly at that bowl of candy you’ve purchased (so as to beat the crowds, wink wink) or you’ve done your pumpkin shopping early and while the lure of freshly roasted pumpkin seeds is calling, you know you must stay your knife-hand another 13 days and you find the hours in between now and then taxing your patience to its limits, stress no more!  Take up your writing/drawing implement of choice, scour your abode for an envelope of any size, fix yourself in a comfortable chair at your favorite kneehole desk, play some apropos music and muster imaginings of “uncomfortable creatures” and draw!  Why? Well, why not? If you require further prompting, consider this:

2019 Halloween Envelope Art Contest

Deadline: Postmark by Monday, October 21st, 2019

For an entry form, click any pic for link to contest page.

The Edward Gorey House is now accepting original artwork from artists of all ages for their 2019 Halloween Envelope Art Contest. An Edward Gorey-inspired decorated envelope decorated with the theme of Uncomfortable Creatures is what they are looking for this year. There is no entry fee and not a particularly big prize but winning entries, runners up, and very-close-to- being -runners up will all be displayed in the Edward Gorey House, on their website, and on their Facebook page. Winners will be notified and results will be announced on Wednesday, 10/31/19.

Mail entries to:

Edward Gorey House
8 Strawberry Lane
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
USA

Tell your friends!

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…..and perhaps these images of past submissions will help you along, mind that deadline 😉

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What’s that noise?

HeadphonesJack Thought I would put together a playlist – be warned – this may seem quirky, odd, even, well, you tell me what you think, hope you recognize at least a few and perhaps there are some surprises sifted in.

Bandages, Hot Hot Heat

In The Room Where You Sleep, Dead Man’s Bones

Once Upon A Dream, Lana Del Rey

Uninvited, Alanis Morissette

Lullaby, Nox Arcana

Lydia, The Tattoed Lady, The Marx Brothers

A Kind of Magic, Queen

Dancing in the Dark, Bruce Springsteen

Devil Inside, INXS

Boadicea, Enya

Pour Some Sugar On Me, Def Leppard

Shadowplay, The Killers

Masquerade, Berlin

Moonage Daydream, David Bowie

Moonsea, Phildel

Starlight, Muse

Magic Carpet Ride, Steppenwolf

Great Pumpkin Waltz, Vince Guaraldi

Golf Claps (From “Hush”), Christophe Beck

Octopus’s Garden, The Beatles

Candy, Iggy Pop

The Killing Moon, Echo & The Bunnymen

Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy (The APM Orchestra version)

This is Halloween, Danny Elfman

What’s This?, Danny Elfman

Violet Hour, Sea Wolf

Strange Magic, Electric Light Orchestra

Eclipse (All Yours), Metric

Just Another Day, Oingo Boingo

Time of the Season, The Zombies

Dragula, Rob Zombie

These selections are all available on itunes, though perhaps you already have lots of these in your playlists, and like I mentioned, obscure at times, but fun and interesting, anyhow if you braver souls try it out, chime in 😉

 

 

Pumpkinology

Pumpkin Pie Pop TartsOk, put down the pumpkin spice latte, back away from the pumpkin spice bagel with pumpkin spice shmear and stop reading about the rise of pumpkin spice futures from your mobile device of choice.  Stop everything, head to your local grocery and purchase these AMAZING Limited Edition Frosted Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts.  I can barely stop sampling to type this review, major YUM, major TASTINESS, right out of the box or warm from the toaster.  Those mini Halloween candies are for suckers.  Stop reading this, GO and Enjoy!!