Good Samhain to All and Thank You for Your Votes!

Good Samhain or Halloween to each and every one of my readers. As we move from the season of abundance into the season of cold, need and want, perhaps it would be good to reflect upon the past year's deeds and accomplishments. Just as your ancestors (in the Northern Hemisphere) brought in the crops at the end of the growing cycle, so you should also gather those stray thoughts and unfinished deeds, deciding which to keep, which to hold until the Spring's renewal, and which to toss onto the bonfires of the closing season of Summer. 

The bonfires of Samhain allow for the burning of the 
past and the lighting of the future. Let its' flame warm 
you and brighten your path ahead. 

I'm still alive in LJ Idol, and I'm glad for it. I appreciate every single vote, and thank each of you for taking that extra step of not only reading my entry, but voting for me. We're down to a startling small number of writers now, compared to the huge group we initially had. Votes and/or circumstances have led to our shrinkage of numbers, and I'm SO honored to be among this small group of very talented people. I couldn't still be here without your votes, so once again a sincere and heartfelt "Thank You" if you have been one of those friends who have voted for my efforts. 

I'm VERY grateful for all of you who took the time and 
voted for my latest entry. It's looking like I will live 
to write at least once more, and I'm thrilled about that. 
Of course, the voting isn't closed yet, things could still 
change and I could be kicked off the island. But it's 
looking good so far. 

I awakened early today, so I'm not SUPER rushed (although I don't have all the time in the universe either). DH was in the computer room (the lights were on, I could see the light line at the base of the door). I got up, watered the fountain, convinced the lights above the picture window that it was their time to shine, and settled down to meditate. Getting up at 2:30 am when my alarm is scheduled for 3:00 am, just means I have a bit of extra breathing space before I leave for the swimming pool. 

If my road had been this open, I would have turned 
around. That was an impossibility, however. I had 
cars behind me and next to me, curbs that held me 
into my lane, and no ability to change fate. It was 
a very long 25 minutes before I was able to continue 
on my way to fetch my missing bag. *sigh* 

Yesterday I was an idiot (and probably half asleep). I was at the gym, reaching for my swimming stuff, when I realized I was missing one of the two bags I take with me. I had my swim bag - flippers, goggles, fins, etc - but I was missing the bag with my soap, lotion and clothing for the day. OOPS! I quickly left the gym to return home. Normally this is a five-minute trip. But I got caught by one of the large freight trains they have overnight - the multi-hundred cars worth of train. Twenty+ minutes later I finally was free of the train and heading home. I did return to the gym, and I did get at least half of my normal workout, but it was SO frustrating and so unnecessary if my head had been on straight. *sigh*. Sometimes I can be really stupid! I won't forget today! 

Dressing up for Halloween is a tradition, but one that I 
don't always indulge in. I suspect I won't dress up 
for the shop today. I have work to do, and outfits can 
sometimes get in the way. 

So, I'm off to the swimming pool. There's no way to dress for Halloween for swimming, so I can think about whether or not I'll dress up when I get home. Although I often do dress in a "Morticia Addams" style gown and a long wig, I might forgo that this year. I'm not really in the mood for it. Still, Samhain is finally here, and Winter will begin. It's time. Be safe, enjoy your Halloween, and don't eat TOO much candy. I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

Boundaries and Halloween - Good Thoughts for Good Friends

Happy Halloween all, and Good Samhain. The borders between the past, present and future blur today and tonight. Ghosts of the past and spirits of the future can visit more easily, they can watch, learn and guide you today with greater ease than almost any other time of the year. It's a day to remember your ancestors, and teach respect for them to your children. It's a day to learn from the past, although we, as a species, seem unable to do that effectively. 

I was looking for photos of blurring borders, but came 
across this one and thought - "It might not meet the 
exact definition, but I love it, so I'll use it." I suspect 
the blurred borders are a bit distant in this, but isn't 
it a wonderful sculpture? It's located at the McNay 
Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas USA. They have a 
Tim Burton exhibit on now that I would simply LOVE 
to see, but they're nowhere near me at all. 

Despite the date and the blurring of worlds, our world continues onward - contentiously moving ahead in war and bloodshed, despite the lessons learned over millennia. You'd think we would learn that might does not equal right, that the poor deserve a hand up, not a hand extended in derision or condescension, and that all sentient people deserve to be heard (although hearing someone doesn't mean you have to follow their pathways). 

Listen to your heart, not always your mind. When 
the two are at odds with each other, weigh the 
advice from each carefully. Often it is the heart 
that is correct for your course of action, rather 
than your mind. 

But today, try to take some time to think over your past. Take time to think of your ancestors and what it took for you to be here, now, in the place you are and with the people you share your life with. Look at your personal history with a non-judgmental eye. You made the choices you did, good or bad, and those choices helped to make you the wonderful person that you are today. Don't celebrate the poor choices, but don't ignore them either. Those poor choices also helped to shape the remarkable person you are today. 

Everyone have a good and safe Halloween, whether you 
celebrate in the new way of gathering treats from door 
to door, attend a party, or merely meditate on the spirits 
that will visit on All Soul's Day to follow, it is a day 
to be acknowledged and celebrated as you see best. 

Tonight set out food for the spirits and light candles to welcome them. If you're in the USA and answering your door to trick-or-treaters, give positive comments to each person along with their candy or treat. Help everyone coming to your door to feel happy they rang your doorbell. Good Samhain to all, and I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini and חיים למען ישראל.

Halloween Is Approaching Fast - Are You Almost Ready for Ghosts and Ghouls?

Halloween has changed a lot since I was a child. When I was very young, my father would walk me around our neighborhood, house to house, asking for candy and treats. Almost every house we visited had kids I played with - the neighborhood was full of young families and their assorted children. Just walking around two full blocks would fill my bag with enough treats to make any kid sick with sugar overload. 

It'll be too cold to be without coats this Halloween. That'll 
disappoint many kids who love to show off their 
costumes. But there are also many more "planned" events 
at grocery stores and other venues which will allow them 
to show off a bit. 

As I grew older, I branched out and we moved to a different neighborhood. Here, the kids (and my friends) were mostly older. It was more suburbia than city, and houses were more spread out. We walked the neighborhoods, of course, but also attended various parties or even a few church events. (I was only invited along, I certainly wasn't a member of any congregation.) We dressed up, but much more grown up than the princesses and fairies of my youth. Some of the parties were in very different parts of the City, so I wandered some strange neighborhoods too. 

When I grew too old for trick-or-treat door to door, I 
attended a lot of Halloween parties. Most of them were 
quite forgettable, but there were a few that were quite fun. 

Around the time I was fourteen, trick-or-treat from door to door generally didn't work well. Too many people said we were too old for trick-or-treat and refused to pass out any candy. That's when parties became more common, or we would join our friends who were escorting their younger siblings on their own collection route. We didn't bother dressing up for the holiday any more, just jeans and jackets (or puffy coats if the weather was really cold). Hot chocolate on the return home was always appreciated on those cold days. 

Although I never worked at a place where we held an 
actual party, I did work at a college where the staff all 
dressed up for the holiday. That was fun. The accountant 
firms I worked for afterward, however, simply didn't 
think Halloween costumes were appropriate attire. *sigh*

Now we pretty much ignore the day. I do dress up for the shop. Given that we're going to be quite cold, I think my Morticia Addams dress with warm leggings will win the day. Last year Halloween was 65 F Degrees. This year we'll be below freezing. So yes, Morticia Addams velvet dress with a shawl for extra warmth, and I'll wear my long red wig to keep my head nice and cozy warm too (although my scarab tattoo will also go well with the gown when I grow tired of the wig). Decision made - LOL. 

Who wouldn't want to be married to someone as 
romantic and spontaneous as Gomez Addams? 
I think Gomez spoiled me for any other man - LOL. 

Are you doing anything special for Halloween or Samhain? It's unfortunate that it falls in the middle of a work week, but nothing can be done about that. Do you give out candy? Do you attend parties? Do you embrace Halloween, or do you ignore it completely? Let me know in your comments, and have an excellent weekend. I'll be back on Monday. Slava Ukraini and חיים למען ישראל.

Holidays and Halloween - Costumes and Cards

Holiday cards are progressing. I'm trying something I've never tried before with a product that probably hasn't been made for 20+ years, but that I still had on hand. Today's segment will include the use of a rolling pin. I hope DH didn't have intentions of baking anything that would require it, since it's heading to the shop to spend the day with me - LOL. 

I'm going through some Halloween costumes for the 
ages, with five photos to share today. Here are some 
witches decked out for the holiday from approx 1910. 

Here's a really excellent mummy 
costume from the 1930's. Money was 
tight, jobs were hard to find, and 
people had to make-do. But they 
still celebrated Halloween. 

I love using things that have been in my craft materials for ages. The material I'm using for the cards this year is a foil that used to be used to transfer text and images onto fabric through the use of heat. I checked a few sources to see if I could get any more if I didn't have enough, but it's been out of production for a very long time. Fortunately, I think I'll have enough on hand, and I'll get a chance to eliminate one more piece of crafting material from my overcrowded studio. A win-win in all respects. Now to progress onward to finish Stage 1 and begin Stage 2. 

Here's a group of kids from the 1950's going 
door-to-door for candy treats. The masks 
are the thing for this era, the clothing ... not 
so much. 

In the 1970's, "Star Wars" hit the 
theatres and a generation was caught 
up in the story and characters. Here 
we have an early C3PO and Darth 
Vadar from a 1970's Halloween. 

It seems ridiculous to be running late when it's only 5:40 am, but that's where I'm at. So, I'm going to make this post short and sweet. 

By the 1980's, all that was needed for a costume was a 
pull-on printed costume from a box at the local discount 
store. It's pretty obviously cold in the area where these 
kids are going door-to-door. Maybe the mummy on 
the right has the right idea - bundle up easily under 
those bandages. 

Have a Wonderful Halloween and a Safe All Saints Day on Sunday. If you're in the USA with an area that was under Daylight Savings Time, don't forget to set your clocks back by an hour before you go to sleep tonight. (I'll have to remember to change the wall clock at the shop before I leave tonight. I rarely check it, but DH relies on it.) Please, be kind and stay safe, and please, please, PLEASE wear your mask. I'll be back on Monday. 

Funding and Devil's Night

You may recall that we put in for a City Grant earlier this year, not getting chosen in their random lottery. We did get the PPP Loan as well as a County Grant and a State Grant, though, so I was pretty happy, and the funds were crucial to allowing us to stay in business despite a serious drop in customer count after COVID. 

If you feel like having some fun today, go to 
Google and click on the header to play this year's 
Google Ghost Game. Save the cat from the 
ghosts by drawing the symbols onto your 
screen. It's fun and why not have some fun 
during Halloween season in a pandemic? 

Out of the blue, I got an email from the City on Monday, requesting us to resubmit some general information because they had received more funding and were re-opening their grant funding to those who didn't get funding in the first round. DH and I discussed whether or not to try again, finally deciding that we would go ahead and submit a second time, which I did. 

We probably won't have the check until late next 
week, but the City finally came through for us and 
we won funding in their second lottery. Cha-Ching! 

I got an email from them yesterday that we had been approved, so after they finalize the contract, they will mail a check to us and we will finally have grants from all of the different entities we had attempted. I'm rather chuffed about the whole thing - every entity was a lot of work and lots of different supplementary paperwork, but all told, after we get this current final grant, we will have received $37,600 from the assorted entities. That has allowed us to keep our doors open, even though our walk-through customers are down almost 50%. I'm very thankful. 

On that note, I'm going to make today's post fast and head out to the shop. I'm busy working on my Holiday Cards and need all of the pre-opening time I can get to continue the process. They're not extremely complicated this year, but they still take some serious (and fun) time. 

Devil's Night used to be very bad, especially in Detroit, 
Michigan. It's toned down a bit now, but it's still a time 
to be careful, especially during these COVID times 
with the election so close and tempers so high. 
Stay home and stay safe, please. 

Tonight is often called "Devil's Night" and has been prone to pranks and sometimes more sinister activities. Please stay home and stay safe, be well, and wear your mask. I'll be back to celebrate Halloween with all of you tomorrow. 

It's November and It's Friday!

It's November! How did it sneak up so quickly? Only two months ago Sharon and I were wandering the Fairgrounds, catching up with our lives and putting another memory into place between us in our long history together. Only one month ago I settled down on a firm plan for this year's Holiday cards and got to work on them (they're looking FANTASTIC, by the way, so get your address to me if you want one sent to you - quantities are limited). 

Two months ago Sharon and I were at the Minnesota State Fair. Today
they're saying we'll get a light dusting of snow while I'm leaving for
the gym in a half-hour. Oh my - how time flies! 

Last night was Halloween, but it was cold - below freezing. For the second year in a row we had no people at the door. That really doesn't bother me at all. We spent the hours until I shut off the outdoor lights and went to bed, watching "Ghost Adventures" explore the Harrisville Farmhouse, the house that the movie "The Conjurer" was based upon. It actually was a rather interesting haunting, a bit different than the Halloween ghost explorations I have watched in the past. I still missed the last hour, though. I need my six hours of sleep or I'm not functional. 

Zak Bagans and "Ghost Adventures" is not my favorite ghost
hunters group, but it was the only good haunting for the night. The
farmhouse itself has history and has been investigated and made the
subject of a film. It's not a good place, but I'm not sure this team
was a good choice for the investigation. Still, it was entertaining on
Halloween night. 

I have to kick things into high gear - we'll have our after-Thanksgiving Day sales at the shop, and I need to plan for what I'm offering on this sale as well as what we're going to do for our after-Christmas sale. The year is flying toward its' end and I'm hanging on for dear life while trying to make sure things are in order for next year's goals. 

Of course I don't like losing any customers, but really ... I was working
on the rack right next to her! We ask this of everyone - it lets us keep
1000's of items in order, hanging correctly so that the next person can
find what they're looking for and so that the strands don't break. 

Of course, I angered a customer yesterday - my luck strikes again. Store policy is "Please let us put everything you've removed from the racks away for you". It really isn't hard. I was next to a customer who had just spent less than $10 on a package of needles, and was showing her friend a particular style of bead. I was hanging beads onto the rack next to her and asked for the ones she was removing so that I could hang those too. She insisted on hanging them, hung them wrong, so I removed them from the rack to put them up correctly after she was finished. She took offense. 

"I ... I'll never spend another penny at your store!" she exclaimed while leaving. Since she actually hadn't spent any (she had her friend buy the needles for her), it wasn't much of a threat. She wasn't a regular, I didn't recognize her, and she wasn't on record as a business or member of the Bead Society or Textile Center (we offer discounts for these categories), so I don't think I'm going to be missing much. Somehow, I'll survive. 

I think this will be a good goal for today. So, have
a wonderful Friday. 

So, have a wonderful first day of November. Yesterday's short time with my cards was delightful. The included gift ornament is turning out even better than I had hoped it would. Call me happy! Have a great Friday and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Happy Halloween and a Book Recommendation

It's Halloween today (and thank you to the lovely friends who sent e-cards to me this morning). I'll have my porch light on tonight, but it's going to be cold and I'm not on the neighborhood "approved" e-list, so I doubt I'll get any trick-or-treat'ers tonight. I'm totally fine with that. Halloween is more than going door to door for candy, it's a lessening of the boundaries between worlds. Caution for a few days is a good idea for all. 

Happy Halloween to all. Be safe and enjoy the holiday! 

Yesterday I finished cutting the copper for the ornament I'm including in each of my holiday cards this year. I was able to put my BigKick away, job well done, and take down my Xyron and a refill instead. I'll get to work on the assembly part this morning, and also start cutting out the interior insert which is now printed onto the cardstock I've chosen. I didn't get a lot of clean-up done, but at least I progressed on my cards. 

I use my Xyron Sticker Maker heavily when I'm working on my cards.
I buy the adhesive cartridges five or more at a time. For being such
a plastic machine, it really is a workhorse and I make it go through
its paces for each year's holiday card. 

I have a book recommendation for all of you - a Young Adult book called "We Contain Multitudes" by Sarah Henstra. Chickie accused me of liking YA novels when I recommended it to her earlier this week, and I really can't deny that. I think writing for a YA audience is one of the most difficult age groups to focus on. You have to sound authentic, you can't talk down, and you can't make your characters any wiser than they would be with only sixteen to eighteen years on this earth. 

I'm highly recommending this book to you. It's
young adult, so a fast read, but the character
exploration she manages just through letters
back and forth is superb. 

In the book, the two characters, Jo and Kurl, exchange letters as a semester-long assignment in their English class. It's an interesting concept, and that letter-by-letter theme is carried throughout the book. It has a rich connecting cast of support, from bullies to brothers and sisters, and there are a few mysteries that are minor, but handled really well. Oh ... and it's located in Minnesota, in Minneapolis, to be exact. It's not "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe", but few books will achieve that height. Still, it's a solid and delightful book and I highly recommend it to you. 

Have a safe and wonder-filled Halloween and don't overdo the treats. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Some Spooky Thoughts Pre-Halloween

It's my "day off" today, and the first load of laundry is already washing in the laundry room. No PT today, and it's my day off from the gym too, so I'm getting the opportunity to catch up on work and other tasks. I'm tired of cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning, and I want to give my finger a few more days to heal, so I'm going to bring some of my card components home from the shop and work on them here instead. I usually get an hour or so in the early mornings at the shop, but I should be able to get at least two hours into them today if I bring some materials and equipment home. 

What a marvelous Halloween display, from Cincinnati, Ohio. I love the
skeletal horse and the coach driver's hat really makes the display sing. 

It looks like it's going to be a cold Halloween this year - the past two days have started out in the 20's and only warmed up into the 30's. As the song says, "Baby, It's Cold Outside". On cold Halloweens we usually have minimal visitation from either small cherubs or college students, and I'm hoping tomorrow will carry out that tradition. I'd rather have a relaxing evening than get up and down constantly to answer the door and give out candy. Of course, DH purchased candy, but he specifically got ones that we enjoy eating because he knows most of it will be ours over the next few months. 

"Doctor Sleep" stars Ewan McGregor as a grown up Danny, still
fighting his telepathic monsters and his own genetic heritage of
alcoholism given by his murderous father. Watch the trailer. It
actually looks like it might have potential, although beating the
original will be hard to do. 

Among the things in my email in-box this morning was a teaser for the upcoming thriller, "Doctor Sleep" which opens nationwide on November 8th. The film is the continuation of one of my favorite scary films of all time - "The Shining". In this new movie, Danny, the small young boy from the original movie, is now grown up and dealing with his demons, both past and present, seen and unseen. Want to see the trailer? Here's a You Tube link for you to check out. I know I'll be too frightened to see this in the theater, but I might consider seeing it at home at some point. I've seen "The Shining" numerous times and it STILL frightens me, to this day. 

"The Shining" was one horror movie that still gets
me every time I see it. There are still parts I haven't
seen clearly because my eyes are closed. Yes, I'm
a fright wuss. 

Of course, "The Shining" was filmed at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. I remember the hotel fondly from my youth when we would go up to that area to visit my Tante Gerty and my cousin Miki. The hotel dominated the valley, and it's still a beautiful and amazing place to visit. I was up there about fifteen or twenty years ago for a conference, but was day-tripping and didn't stay overnight. Probably just as well. I might be in love with the building, but I'm easily frightened. 

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is magnificent and old. It
opened in 1909 and many have claimed various rooms and venues
within its walls as haunted. Numerous ghost hunters have stayed there, trying
to confirm or debunk the rumors. So far there is still no conclusive
proof of haunted hotel halls and rooms. 

So that's the plan for today. Work on holiday cards and give my finger a few more days to heal before diving back into major cleaning. I hope all of you have a wonderful day that is filled with sunshine and lollipops, not ghosts and haunted hotels. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Good Samhain To All

Good Samhain to all of my friends and readers today. The veils between the worlds are thin today, so take care with your choices, look twice before entering crosswalks, and watch out for tricksters when opening your doors tonight. 

Samhain weakens the walls between the worlds and realms. Be cautious
as you go about your business today, and stay far away from Fairy Hills. 

Samhain has both a sacred robe and a secular costume. Choose whichever suits you best, or combine them into your personal comfort wrap. It's all OK. 

Whether you celebrate with others or on your own, or whether you
merely enjoy the trappings of secular Halloween, it's the beginning
of a new year in the Wiccan calendar and a time for reflection and
new beginnings, as well as an acknowledgement of what has
passed during the previous year. 

We're cold up here in the Frozen Northlands, but no snow (at least none sticking on the ground for more than an hour or so). It's been wet, but it's looking like we're dry for the day and tonight. I might get some college kids trick-or-treating tonight ... or not. Not just means more candy left for DH, and a bit for me. 

Because we all need guidance in our lives, I give you crow (or raven) as
your spirit guide this Samhain. Watch carefully as he finds the
safe paths to walk. 

I'm sharing Samhain pictures with all of you today, urging you to have a wonderful and safe holiday and to watch out for things that go "bump" in the night. Hugs to all, enjoy your spooky Wednesday, and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Horror Movies - DH Loves Them, I'm Not As Much of a Fan

After two weeks off, I'm finally heading over to my Chiropractor today. Usually I see him every two weeks, so I'm sure I'll be all cracks when I'm adjusted, rather like an old tree in a windstorm. But, I am an old tree, and even though the windstorm is time, it doesn't make it any less real. It will be a relief to be back onto our normal bi-monthly schedule. Both DH and I benefit from our appointments. 

Movie posters from all of the Halloween movies. Who would have
thought Jason would live for so long in, around and away from
Crystal Lake. 

Of course, it's also the week of Halloween, or Samhain. Lots of things to go bump in the night and the television and movie theaters are filled with scary and horror movies. DH enjoys these kinds of movies. Me? Not so much. Yesterday appeared to be a "Halloween" marathon. DH was watching Part 3 when I came down to the computer room, and between our afternoon football games he wasted the time by watching a portion of Part 8. It's hard to believe that tale went through eight movies and three spin-offs. I guess Jason really does live forever. 

The Shining is one of my favorite scary movies. The
plot, the location, the ghosts and the child - all spin
together into something that screams "Don't
open that door!" 

I'm more of a subtle horror movie fan. My favorite horror movie of all time? "The Shining" starring the amazing Jack Nicholson. Scary - oh yes, VERY scary. The pacing was perfect, the locale was one I'm extremely familiar with (it was just up the road as I was growing up) and yes .... I totally believe in ghosts and spirits. Even though I've watched it often, there are still parts I have problems watching. The mark of a good movie. 

There's just something about Freddy Krueger that
I like. It's scary - absolutely - and he's a fabulous
character, but it's more than that. It's just really
well made and well conceived. 

DH and I and a bunch of our college friends saw "Carrie" in our local theatre. It was a long time ago, but I still remember the ending - don't think I'll ever forget that one. There were other movies of note through the years - "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Hellraiser" which introduced the world to Pinhead, and my favorite of the bunch - "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and the immortal Freddy Krueger. Yes - I'm totally a Freddy Krueger fangirl. 

Pinhead in "Hellraiser" was a frightening central character, but
I didn't like him as much as the two previous ones I've
featured in today's blog. 

Do you enjoy horror movies? Are there some kinds that you find fun and others that you won't watch any time or place? Share with me. I don't want to feel alone as I wander through the next few days of weakening walls between dimensions. 

Happy Monday to all and I'll be back tomorrow. 

Blessed Samhain

Today - well, tonight starting at sunset and going through tomorrow's sunset - is Samhain, the traditional end of the harvest and beginning of winter. It was a time to gather around bonfires, do divination for the next year, and have the final Great Festival before the start of leaner times. The harvest has now been gathered and put aside for the winter and early spring months. It's time to hope that what was processed and stored will be enough food for all until the next growing season. 

Black cats and pumpkin jack-o-lanterns are traditional Halloween items
in the USA. Turnips are the thing in the UK, along with bonfires. It's the
season for witches, divination, and meetings around bonfires. Take care,
it is the season of the witch! 

Divination was often practiced on this doorway day. I call days like this "doorway days" because they are major transitional days between one aspect and another. In the roll of the year, Samhain is a major holiday. In the day-to-day of today, a time when the passing of the seasons means more looking forward to winter sports than it does gathering together for survival, it's a time to go door-to-door and beg for candy. How the mighty have fallen! 

Samhain and Beltane are the two major holidays in the Celtic calendar -
bookends of the world, feasts featuring flame and the remembrance of
those who have passed and those who still may come. Blessed Be! 

There will be covens gathering together tonight to celebrate the shift of the seasons, but there will also be lots of little kiddies going door to door in hope of treats (or celebrating at various hosted events at shopping centers, churches, and schools). For many kids, Halloween will have been an on-going blitz of chocolate and sugar for almost a week now. I pity the poor parental units (and hope that they have also gotten to share in the chocolatey, gooey, goodness). 

Halloween celebrates those who have passed before us. They mark the
road that all of us will tread upon in days to come. Distribute your
candy, but remember those who stood behind you as well. Both
sides make up Samhain. 

I have my bowl of candy by the door and I will happily pass them out to those who ring my doorbell before 9:00 pm. After that, the candy distribution machine resides that in this house reverts once again to operate specifically for those of us living here. Have a safe All Hallows Eve and a good Tuesday. I'll be back tomorrow. 

Happy Halloween and Tomorrow's Blog

Happy Halloween to one and all. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays - I loved it as a kid, went to a lot of parties as an adult, and now I answer the door and distribute candy to other younger people working their way through the neighborhood. It's all good and enjoyable. We've had both great weather and winter blizzards in the past, so we never know what will happen on this date, but today looks like it will be warm with no snow in sight.

The neighborhood I grew up in had lots of kids. We were all escorted by
parents and wandered through three or four blocks to get our pillowcases
filled with sugary delights. 

Tomorrow morning is the first of November and the first day when I can put in an application for new health insurance. Given the fact that my plan is defunct on January 1st, I have to get this handled. More than 250,000 of us will be without insurance on the first of January, but only 20,000 of us will be able to obtain insurance through specific programs operated by MnSure. That's going to leave a lot of people swinging in the wind and I'm determined to NOT be one of them. Instead of a blog post tomorrow, I'll be dealing with insurance as soon as I awaken. Hopefully my early rising habits will pay off for a change.

Halloween is a bridging holiday - a pathway between the living
and the dead and a time when doors can be opened. 

So, there might not be much of a post tomorrow, but I'm sure you all will survive without my chatting about this and that. I'm hearing DH having a very restless night in the bedroom above me, and chances are good I'll have company for breakfast in a few hours. That actually would be rather nice.

Have a wonderful Halloween. If you're partying, remember to drink responsibly or walk to and from home. If you're watching kidlings as they wander through neighborhoods or attend various Halloween parties, enjoy their glee as they gather with other costumed kids to collect candy or playthings together. Don't forget, not everyone can eat candy, so if you're giving things out, try to have some non-candy alternatives for those who have food allergies. Then, get your sugar skills ready for the Day of the Dead coming up tomorrow!