Halloween in our era has very little to do with the original Samhain harvest festival. I celebrate Halloween less as a holiday than as a social event. Each year we gather the kids, stuff them into colorful costumes, and go door to door expecting candy. This year we took to the streets with friends, and the experience was different than what we’ve done in the past. It was a lot better. Not only were the house displays nicer, but the company and conversation meant that we adults could enjoy it on two levels. We were happy to enjoy our kids and happy to be in conversation.
The best part of the evening was a house in the middle of a block that took Halloween to the next level. They turned one portion of their front yard into a cemetery, while the other side of the front yard was a treasure trove guarded by all manner of fantasy monster. Much to the surprise, and often abject terror, of the kids, the monsters moved. They were wired to respond to vibrations, so when a kid got too close to the treasure, something leaped out at them. The cemetery was even more high tech. In the window behind rows of gravestones A ghost flew about. The ghost was a holographic film projection against the window that looked so real that my own kids were unwilling to get too close.
It turns out that house is pretty famous in Maricopa for their displays. The day after Thanksgiving they do a huge Xmas presentation that involves the Fire Department and a local cheer squad. I’m hoping to publish an article about that event in the Maricopan after it happens. In the meanwhile, that house helped us have a spooky Halloween.
Some Thoughts:
- The next 30 or so days are NanoWrimo–the National Novel Writing Month. I’ll be participating this week as well as requiring my writing students to participate. This is a really great opportunity for them to be part of a larger writing community and get the benefits of that. Should be fun. The 10 Minute Rule will likely bear some of the brunt of this labor, and I expect to produce or reflect here as much as possible.
- Wine is preferable to beer for most occasions. Beer, I find, is an enjoyable distraction only when extremely cold.
- Watching Blackfish with my cat was a really odd experience. My cat responded to every whale call. She doesn’t like whales all that much. Perhaps it feels like a meal that cannot ever be enjoyed.