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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Nothing grim about this…

Rogers Gardens has announced their annual Halloween Boutique Opening “Grimm Tales” will debut on Friday, September 2nd @ 9:00am!  Visiting this amazing boutique yearly has become a favorite for me and I hope you find time to stop by, it will not disappoint.

Halloween-Boutique-Opening-Grimm-Tales

“…and the Storyteller paused…
and it was as if the wonders he retold had cast a spell upon him…”-A.E.

“The forest is dark and enchanted…branches creak and leaves rustle as trees close in, obscuring the path home.  Wander deep into the shadows and you’ll find frightful folklores, fantastical stories and chilling tales.  These bedtime stories will give you nightmares, and you’ll discover that not all fairy tales end happily-ever-after.” –Rogers Gardens

 

Edward Gorey….treat of treats!

Envelope Art Flyer 2015:Envelope Art Flyer 2015

Wish to indulge in a different type of treat this year? Got my invite for this yesterday and wanted to share in case any of you out there wanted to join in.  Sounds like fun and its all ages which I think is SPECTACULAR!! Click pic for a link to the site and to download entry form.  Flights of fancy well received and I hope to poke and prod all of you into submission. Wink, wink! Be sure to check out the 2014 winners, wonderful stuff!

THE EDWARD GOREY HOUSE 2015 ALL-AGES HALLOWEEN ENVELOPE ART CONTEST

Our annual Envelope Art contest is now open for submissions from artists of all ages from around the world. Submit your original envelope artwork postmarked no later thanOctober 23rd, 2015. There is no entry fee though artists can only submit one entry to the contest per year.

Decorate an envelope (of any size you choose) with your Edward Gorey-esque Halloween themed image(s)—with the Edward Gorey House address clearly visible on the front—and mail it to this address:

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

 

Perils and Perseverance

Once in a night as black as pitch, Isabel met a wicked old witch.  The witch’s face was cross and wrinkled.  The witch’s gums with teeth were sprinkled.  Ho, ho, Isabel! The old witch crowed, I’ll turn you into an ugly toad! Isabel, Isabel, didn’t worry, Isabel didn’t scream or scurry.  She showed no rage and she showed no rancor, but she turned the witch into milk and drank her.  Isabel met a hideous giant, Isabel continued self reliant.  The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid. He had one eye in the middle of his forehead.  Good morning, Isabel, the giant said, I’ll grind your bones to make my bread.  Isabel, Isabel, didn’t worry, Isabel didn’t scream or scurry.  She nibbled the zwieback that she always fed off, and when it was gone, she cut the giant’s head off.

Excerpt from The Adventures of Isabel, Ogden Nash, 1931

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Click images for source

 

 

 

Something to sink your teeth into

This is the tale of the strange adventures of young Allan Gray, who immersed himself in the study of devil worship and vampires. Preoccupied with superstitions of centuries past, he became a dreamer for whom the line between the real and the supernatural became blurred. His aimless wanderings led him late one evening to a secluded inn by the river in a village called Courtempierre.
It was an eerie moonlit night. Lights and shadows, voices and faces seem to take on hidden meaning. Allan Gray felt a sinister force descend upon him. In vain he fought the terror that seized him, and fear of things he could not name haunted his restless sleep.
What was going on? What terrifying secret was unfolding? Allan Gray felt certain of one thing: A soul in mortal distress was crying out for help, and a voice within urged him to heed that call…

Excerpt (scroll text) from the 1932 movie Vampyr
directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Based on the short stories In A Glass Darkly, 1872
by Sheridan Le Fanu

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With fierce abandon…

Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans dance,
Or over the lays, in splendid blaze,
On sprightly horses prance;
Or for Colean the route is taken,
Beneath the moon’s pale beams;
There, up the cove, to stray and rove,
Among the rocks and streams
To sport that night…

With merry songs, and friendly tales,
I know they didn’t weary;
And many tales, and funny jokes,
Their sports were cheap and cheery;
Till buttered scones, with fragrant steam,
Set all their mouths a’stirring;
Then, with a social glass of liquor,
They parted off careering
Full happy that night.

Robert Burns
from the poem, Halloween, 1785

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