Halloween 2022 Preview

In 61 days... beware The Carver

We are only two months away from Halloween.  It's going to be down to the wire for this year's display. But to celebrate the impending arrival of the Big Night, here's a test photo of one of my props for the upcoming haunt.

Nebraska man paddles 38 miles down Missouri River in 846-pound pumpkin

And yes, that is a world record for longest distance travelled by pumpkin.

Click below

Duane Hansen in Berta, an 846-pound pumpkin he paddled down the Missouri River

Pumpkin Ale Reviews

@pumpkin_ale_reviews has officially begun posting for the 2022 Pumpkin Ale Season! 

If you want to know some great fall ales to try (and which ones to avoid) check out their Instagram by clicking below:

The Old Bridge

     Over a deep black part of the stream, not far from the church, was formerly thrown a wooden bridge; the road that led to it, and the bridge itself, were thickly shaded by overhanging trees, which cast a gloom about it, even in the daytime; but occasioned a fearful darkness at night. This was one of the favorite haunts of the headless horseman; and the place where he was most frequently encountered.

     - Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Art by Vivien Mildenberger

Listening to: Iconic Jack-O'-Lanterns: Part III

Wonderful annual podcast tradition that I look forward to every year (and then I subsequently forgot to post about it...)

Every year, Louie and Dave from Haunted Hangover get together with Adam from The Great Pumpkin Project to discuss some of their favorite and most iconic Jack-O'-Lanterns.  I always learn something new and I always end up laughing.  It's a great podcast to get you in the Halloween mood.

You can find this episode on YouTube, or click the logo to go to the Haunted Hangover website, where they have links to every streaming service they're available on.

All Eyes Trailer

I'm looking forward to this indie horror film.  I like concept, and by the trailer it seems to already establish its own aesthetic.  Set to release September 2nd on streaming and VOD.

Click below for the trailer from Bloody Disgusting:

Click here for a full-sized image of the poster (from IMDB page)

Resting in the Shade

Photo by catherine

What do you call a female werewolf?

Some spooky Sunday trivia...

The term "werewolf" (a creature that is half man, half wolf) is derived from the Old English words "wer" (meaning "man" [as in, singular male human]) and "wulf" (meaning... well, "wolf").

The word for woman in Old English is "wif".  Following the same etymological principles, the term for a creature that is half woman, half wolf, is "wifwolf"

@hamishdoodles has launched the hashtags #MakeWifwolfAThing and #NormalizeWifwolf, as well as a Redbubble store to hopefully spread awareness of the term. 

Click below for the store

Source

Choosing Halloween

I used to cry because it wasn't Halloween night.  But then I realized, why let a calendar dictate when I can have the things I enjoy? If I can channel that longing and passion, take the little scraps of Halloween that I can find and turn them into something that captures that feeling every day of the year, then perhaps I've found the secret to life.  People always say, "Choose happy." Well this is me, choosing happy. Choosing Halloween.

Beautiful words and photo by Katie Pumpkinhead.

Darkrose Manor (2010)

Truly inspiring layout from Darkrose Manor.  So many natural elements, so much overgrowth.  Hard to imagine this being in the middle of a residential neighborhood... it looks like it's in the middle of the woods!  There is just an overwhelming amount of detail to take in.  

Full album here.  Take a look at the night photos album for 2010 as well.

Be sure to visit the Darkrose Manor blog and their website too!

Now Watching: The X Files

But your eyes are open?

Yeah, they're open, but it's like nothing's happening.

Try turning your head.

I can't.

Why not?

I don't know. I can't move. So I don't. I just lie there in bed.

Can you see your sister?

No. But I can hear her.

What is she saying?

She's calling out my name over and over again. 

She's crying out for help, but I can't help her.  I can't move.

Are you scared?

I know I should be but I'm not.

Do you know why?

Because of the voice.

The voice?

The voice in my head.

What's it telling you?

Not to be afraid.  

It's telling me that no harm will come to her...

And that one day, she'll return.

Do you believe the voice?

I want to believe.

(Season 1, Episode 4: Conduit)

My Scarecrows

My scarecrows don't bother to keep crows at bay,

But work wonders for keeping the neighbors away.

Listening to: Season Of The Witch (Lana Del Rey cover)

From the Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark soundtrack. Cool cover of one of my favorite songs. 

Listening to: 0:59

Awesome song by Danger.  The whole album is masterfully composed and feels very cinematic (as in, listening through, the album sounds as though it follows a story structure with rising action, climax, and resolution). It's like the soundtrack to a gritty cyberpunk action film that doesn't exist.  0:59 is definitely my favorite track from the album.

Click below

Now Drinking: Dark o' The Moon Pumpkin Stout

I don't taste hardly any pumpkin flavor in this beer, but an okay stout nonetheless. 

Fighting some pretty heavy burnout that hit me out of nowhere a few days ago. Trying to keep my head straight as Halloween nears and my schedule fills up.  Here's to a productive week. 

Snapdragons

Snapdragon seed pods look an awful lot like fairy skulls.

Images posted by u/DavieB68

100th Post

Officially my 100th post to October Branches.  *confetti*

I probably won't do many milestone posts like this, but as a relatively new blogger, it felt appropriate this time around.  Not much for me to say, except thank you to everyone who's been dropping by the blog and supporting my work. 

October Branches is going to continue as long as I have some Halloween spirit in me (or at least as long as Google continues Blogger support)

-Tjalgahorn

Now Drinking: The Great Pumpkin

Finally able to continue work on the haunt and relax a little after a busy weekend.

Featuring The Great Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale, from Elysian.