It's time

On the night of September 1st, as I was walking the ghoulfriend home from an event, we both inexplicably stopped in the middle of her quiet neighborhood street.  The wind blew, rustling the fallen sycamore leaves.  It was a cool 75° (cool for central Florida).  The New Moon meant it was dark, save for the streetlights.  We turned and looked at each other, wordlessly communicating that we both knew... it's time

"I'm normally a stickler on dusting this one off before the threat of hot days have
passed, but this year I'm appealing to the feeling over the calendar. It’s time folks"
- Sam Heimer, original artist

More-so than last year, it really feels like Halloween is coming.  Among friends and online circles, there has been a steadfast patience for the arrival of the season; a patience not felt last year (as Sam Heimer pointed out in this post) when many jumped the gun, declaring "spooky season" as early as July.  For whatever reason, I didn't see that as much this year, and I think we are better for it. 

The next day, September 2nd, we invited a close friend over to have a cozy day in.  We watched Fantastic Mr. Fox and baked homemade pizza and pumpkin bread (both of which I make quite well, if I do say so myself).

The ghoulfriend and I are very ready for this season to start.  This will be our first Halloween together, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share it with!

October Eve: Hurricane Ian

The big hurricane down here left me and my home completely unscathed, which was (pleasantly) surprising, given the severity of the storm. The same goes for most of my friends and family. 

I'm quite grateful... Almost one and a half million people are still without power in Florida, and at least 17 people were killed. The flooding I witnessed was biblical. 

While driving around yesterday morning, when the most dangerous winds and rain had ceased, I came across a house with a downed tree and a scarecrow. 

The fact that the house and its whimsical lawn ornament were spared the devastation filled me with Halloween warmth. It reminded me of the communal importance of Halloween, and the joy it can bring others during hard times. 

In an era of Halloween maximalism, let's not forget the simpler aspects of the holiday... Something I plan to touch on in a later post. 

Whether you're an all-out yard haunter or someone with a single porch pumpkin, your decorations are important; they fill like-minded Halloween enthusiasts with the spirit of the season.

And it's that like-mindedness,wordlessly shared between strangers, that makes Halloween such a special holiday. 

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