We miss October. We are two of those people who love the art of carving pumpkins and telling ghost stories over hot apple cider, and all the holiday brings. I started writing this blog for myself, keeping track of all I see and do throughout the Halloween season, and have been joined by my haunted friend What a Witch in our quest to live our upstate New York Halloween to the fullest. We document all of our Halloween projects, products and anything we can find related to October 31 here.
This blog is named after a phrase from one of my favorite, not necessarily Halloween-related poems, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven."
Happy Haunting.
It's finally here! All the jack o' lanterns are carved, the decorations up, John Carpenter's "Halloween" playing... And outside it's dreary, rainy, windy and wonderful. I am, however, trying to figure out how to put Spirit Halloween Vampire teeth on that come with no instructions. Perhaps that will be a future blog post... but no negativity today!
Wishing you and yours a wonderfully wicked and spooky All Hallow's Eve!
I was thinking the other day about why we love Halloween, and how that love began in childhood and strengthens for many of us through the years. And I thought of how perfectly these two pieces, Edgar Allan Poe's poem "Alone" and Tim Burton's 1982 short animated film "Vincent," illustrate that childhood love, that bent, for the dark.
Alone By Edgar Allan Poe
From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone; And all I loved, I loved alone. Then- in my childhood, in the dawn Of a most stormy life- was drawn From every depth of good and ill The mystery which binds me still: From the torrent, or the fountain, From the red cliff of the mountain, From the sun that round me rolled In its autumn tint of gold, From the lightning in the sky As it passed me flying by, From the thunder and the storm, And the cloud that took the form (When the rest of Heaven was blue) Of a demon in my view.
A question I have seen asked repeatedly this Halloween season is what to do with trick or treaters who, for whatever reason, either do not have a costume or have long ago entered adulthood. Opinions and passions on this issue run high.
A number of haunters seem to believe in refusing any treat-- giving not a piece of candy-- for trick or treaters who do not have a costume. These people feel that the nature of the idea must be adhered to strictly; no trick (or costume), no treat.
I'm going to come down on the other side of the issue. I would never deny a trick or treater candy; that's not the season, that is not Halloween. Who am I to say that having a costume is the only trick a treater may have? The trick may be on me, who would think to not give candy to a child who wants to experience Halloween, the ritual of civily begging for candy-- a child, who, very well, may not be able to afford any costume, or even have anything so expendable around the house to use for an impromptu ghost, witch or zombie? And, to me, older trick or treaters get points for bravery, in refusing to let go of this holiday ritual. On a more practical side, I would not want to refuse any treater candy simply because I would like for them not to have any reason to come back and vandalize my house or steal any piece of my display.
Thank goodness (or, wickedness?) that Michael Dougherty's "Trick R Treat" has finally been released to the masses. It is now cliche to say so, but in a horror film market so saturated with the latest Saw installment and remake, I do not understand why a film of such quality, like "Trick R Treat," has to wait two years to receive a direct-to-video release. Having said that, I will now descend my soapbox to tell you what I think of this film.
See it. This is the kind of Halloween movie we have been waiting for: a movie actually about Halloween. I like to think that this is what John Carpenter might have had in mind when he decided to make Halloween III: The Season of the Witch and have the Halloween series be about movies centered around October 31. In a way, this film makes films like the original (real) "Halloween" and "Creepshow" proud. "Trick R Treat's" narrative is over the top. You are bombarded by creepy scenarios, odd characters, murder and other things that go bump in the night like a bursting bowl of Halloween candy. A child murdering principle, a young girl named Laurie who does not seem to follow the rest of her peers, children telling ghost stories to each other and an old man being terrorized by a trick or treater. The interweaving stories do so smoothly, and the effect is an excellent over-the-top horror film. Yes, this is an instant seasonal classic. Every character is memorable, and the acting talent here-- Anna Paquin, Brian Cox-- is stellar. And I do believe we have a horror character here who belongs up alongside Michael, Jason, Chucky and Freedy in Sam.
Assistant Fire Chief David Pritchard, surprised at all the negative feedback from his and fellow officials' tyrannical actions, listed a series of recent break ins as a safety concern that factored into the Town's decision. Because, apparently, when the little ones go out trick or treating, they force their way into your house after you've given them candy and commit robberies. Pritchard is currently running unopposed for election this year-- let's hope that changes, the next time around.
Rain drops keep falling on my head, house and yard. It has rained, or been dangerously windy, each day here since October 1. This has obviously put a damper on my holiday spirits, as I have not been able to get out and tackle the front yard, and decorating the front porch. This morning, the weather looks almost certain to bring rain.
But, it is the weekend, and I will, come rain or shine, have more time to devote to putting up my cornstalks and outdoor decor-- in my rain coat, if need be.
I have to admit, this is the first year I have paid close attention to Martha Stweart's Halloween offerings. I broke down and bought her Halloween magazine (a hefty $7.95) a few weeks back. While I haven't gotten around to trying anything very substantial, I do admire her invite ideas (a pumpkin card with a top you pull out to reveal party details) and her pumpkin ice cream sandwiches , which I did try. My partner made some the other night- but substituted molasses cookies to sandwich in the pumpkin ice cream. (We'll be making some more of those very soon.)
There is some criticism of the magazine for not being entirely original. I cannot speak to that, but I can say that springing for the $7.95 is quite worth it. Where else can you find the idea of using a certain kind of cheese (with a vein-y appearance) for French onion soup as part of your Halloween meal? She also is offering a great website, in two parts: Halloween Central and the Halloween Party Shop. The Workshop section is even divided into a week-by-week plan for decor building and party planning.
Walgreens gets stellar remarks from yours truly this season. Over the last few years, the pharmacy and store has been extraordinarily good at offering a mix of costumes, candy, props and original decor.
With their Jack in the Box offering this year, they've out done themselves. This is a picture of the one I picked up for $14.99 last week. My black cat wouldn't let me take a picture without him-- and I think he adds a certain something to the photograph (although he is terrified of Jack once he pops out, like a moth to a scary flame.) I debated filming a video of what this guy does-- and what the child's voice says as you turn the crank-- but that would ruin all the surprise and fun. If you are able to get your hands on this guy, I strongly suggest picking him up. He is a very original and, yes, scary little Halloween item.
When Marshalls first put their Halloween decor on the shelves back in early August, I spotted what I, at the time, could only describe as a Halloween calendar. Apparently made of different cloths and felt, the calendar resembled a Christmas advent calendar that was part of my childhood- one with a pocket for each day, and as each day arrived, you would put a small Christmas mouse in that day's pocket.
But this calendar had a castle, bats flying around it, 31 days and a painted wooden piece of candy corn on a string for each day's pocket instead of a mouse.
Sadly, I decided I would pick the calendar up at a later date, closer to October-- and, of course, when I went back it was not there. Or at two other area stores.
What would Halloween ever be without a little controversy?
This year, there appears to be some dispute growing within our own community of Halloween folks. Spirit Halloween has launched an Internet campaign and petition to change the official celebration of All Hallow's Eve from October 31 to the final Saturday in October, ever year. With Halloween finally on a Saturday again this year, the definite appeal of a Saturday celebration has, quite understandably, become something some Halloween fans do not want to give up. Personally, Halloween on a Saturday does contain many benefits weekday celebrations do not. Not everyone is off from work on Saturday, but being that I am, and many people are, I cannot wait to experience the day without having to go in to school or the office. From the time I wake up in the morning, I can focus all my energies on Halloween. And, on a Saturday, I do not have worry about staying up too late partying, watching scary movies and drinking (possibly hard) apple cider. Sunday can be spent sleeping in, recovering and for clean up. Not to mention the fact that one can go shopping for all the day after clearance sales without having to worry about going in to work.
However, I do not feel, at this time, I can endorse the campaign. Yes, trick or treating before dark is safer... but. I found myself wondering, what if, as a child, I was forced to trick or treat out in the sun? I would never have felt that excitement that builds as night falls, and jack o'lanterns begin to flicker, while the time comes to put your costume on and the first doorbell rings in the dark. Spirit is absolutely right that it makes economic sense-- but. I don't think I'm comfortable just yet with my holiday being moved from its haunted home on the 31. There is something, maybe magic, about that number, about going to work dressed in orange and black, and knowing that once you are done you can enjoy the holiday.
Also, I wonder what effect an eternal Saturday would have on trick or treating during the day. Would people be expected to be home and offering candy all day? What if some people are home for part of the day and not others? Makes one wonder what could happen...
All in all, I understand the appeal of keeping Halloween on a Saturday. However, I understand why many people are opposed to this-- and, at least at this time, I am going to come down on the side of tradition and hope that we, as a country, don't mess with a pretty good thing.
Once again, it is October. The season of the witch, of the dark, of the twisted, of the harvest being upon us. To me, there has always been something magical about this time. I have been fortunate enough to live in a climate with four seasons, and the balance of summer leaving and winter's ghost beginning to moan has always seemed perfect to me. Any day, I would rather have the crisp coolness of autumn and the colors changing on the trees. The wind, the rain. Ghosts and pumpkins displayed in every window...
The weather up here has been brutal, however, this past week. Severe rains and bad winds haven't allowed me to begin decorating outside; but finally, this weekend, I will get started.
