I not only love this holiday, I love this time of year.
Even though I live in Southern California and we don't get the great fall foliage that some of you enjoy, it does get cooler and the crows have been talking back and forth from treetop to treetop. Soon we will have many of our trees lose their leaves and look like skeletal fingers reaching for the grey clouds above.
Nights are getting longer and longer moving towards the Winter Solstice - which is a real, not made-up thing to argue about the name of.
Time to get out those out-of-date eggs you've been saving.
Hope everybody gets all the candy they want and none of the bullies steal it from them.
I hope the fires aren't affecting you! I'm flying to LA today and wondering what the landscape will look like from the air. At any rate Happy Halloween 🎃
RF
Happy Halloween, Adam! :)
I was noticing a Halloween news report about a town back east that said they would have to delay trick-or-treating because of an early snowstorm.
We have an annual weather condition that can make our Halloweens be unusually warm or cold and humidity drop to single digits - perfect fire conditions.
The L.A. basin normally gets a gentle ocean breeze that traps the air in the big bowl made by the surrounding mountains. It's what kept Los Angeles smog in one spot over the years, before car emissions were limited. It would be so bad that schools would keep the kids indoors during recess - or even close for smog days. Lots of people would get irritated eyes and headaches.
Around this time of year, the wind sometimes reverses for a few days and blows down off the surrounding high desert through the San Gorgonio Pass in what is known as a Santa Ana (for the Mexican general) Wind. In the fall, the desert air gets very cold. It can blow very strong and fast and trap the warmer air already here underneath. That heavier cold air pushes down and heats up the warmer layer by compression. Those times it will get very warm for 3 or 4 days. If it happens on Halloween, the kids with costumes worn over their normal clothes can be pretty uncomfortable - and chocolate will get too soft.
Other times, the desert air hugs the ground and pushes the existing layer out to sea, and the basin gets unusually cold. Those years, the kids with skimpy costumes might be forced by parents to wear a coat over their costumes - bummer. This year is one of the cooler ones. The women in sexy costumes may be sporting goosebumps tonight.
Worst case scenario here, a few (very few) times over the years, we have had light rain. Kids who had worked all week on their costumes would have had to hide them under a raincoat. In the 50's that meant one of those thick, yellow rubberized canvas things that looked like all the kids were dressed as the New England fisherman from the Gorton's Seafood packages. (The darn thing was heavy and had a strong smell of rubber - as did the rubber boots that we had to squeeze over our normal shoes and fasten with buckles.)
What kind of weather did you guys usually have where you lived? What is your forecast for tonight?
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on October 31, 2019, 11:08:32 AM
What kind of weather did you guys usually have where you lived? What is your forecast for tonight?
For decades, now, they've had TorT night (4 pm to 6 pm) on the Sat. before the 31st (unless the 31st is on Sat.). This year it rained, so they had it on Sun.
Happy Hallowe'en to all.🎃🎃🎃🎃
Steady rain kept trick or treaters away from our door yesterday evening. In comparison to the record high of 48 from a few years ago, we got a record low yesterday evening of 7 kids comprised of 2 pre-schoolers and 5 teens. My opportunities for mass slaughter and widespread depredation were therefore severely limited.
(https://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/General%20Album%203001/Black%20Cat%204_zps2kuldyz6.jpg)
:(
Oh well. I'll just have to start my planning for next year!
;)
Happy Halloween, everybody. The rain got us off to a slow start but it eventually picked up. Next year I plan on really leaning into it to try and get our neighborhood a little more active.
Dozens of happy trick or treaters came to our door and various scary houses in the neighborhood. All were cool and nicely suited up. Many Michaels, Jasons, Freddys, Pennywise etc. Glad the horror theme stayed strong. Also very few Star Wars, which I'm very happy about. The costume of the night...Purge II Statue of Libery with creepy light-up face. Gave that kid two candies.
Not a single kid. Not ONE.
I don't count the two kids I babysit for- or the passing kid in karate uniform (not sure it was a Halloween costume) that I had to call over to my door.
I live in a 95% Asian neighborhood, many 1st generation Americans who speak little English - if any at all. I'm the only one around here that puts decorations in the window. Not another pumpkin to be seen anywhere. Nice neighbors, but I just can't get them to join in the spirit of trick-or-treating.
Coming from a time when any house that left its porchlight on was a legitimate target, it is kinda depressing. How would you guys feel if you lived in a place where no one, and I mean NO ONE celebrated Kwanzaa?
Sorry, Adam, it's a sad situation. In our hood, it was hit and miss. You would see two or three dark houses then a full blast scare house. Some houses had dancing ghosts projected in the balcony. Smoke-spewing horse with light up headless horseman, animated Michaels, Jasons, It clowns...every third house was like a theme park thrill ride. I just remember how much fun I had as a kid, and would never darken my house as an adult. Next year you can bring your little ones over here and celebrate with us. I know you won't do it, but it's worth a try.
Three teen girls with very realistic looking vampire teeth came to our doorway in a group. They were very well done indeed and almost made up for the low numbers!
tynhrt
But like I say, there's always next year!
(https://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/General%20Album%203001/black%20cat%209_zpsnzqbrr2d.jpg)
;)
We haven't seen any trick or treaters for years but its probably because of the busy street we live on more than anything else though I detect interest in Halloween is diminished-especially when they have Christmas decorations out alongside it in the stores!
The Halloween candy selection at the store--they have cases--were not very much. I remember they used to have a big section for it.
Funny note: the Doritos case box had a howling werewolf silhouette that reminded me of the wolfman cartoon from the Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein credits.
This seems like as a good a thread as any to drop some photos of this years graveyard set up. I didn't get everything out because the wind was gusting up to 30 miles per hour, luckily it did calm down for the ToTers and we got a pretty good turn out, especially considering it still felt like 20° outside .
(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/021f58e6a29594d4f898d22e80d687d0/5E4F4200/t51.2885-15/e35/75231161_115484246550266_9108541090906489019_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=102)
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(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/468f2579fe3994e58b273bed4364bf91/5E3FEAF5/t51.2885-15/e35/70638063_2463130747291097_2930435774394120944_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=105)
(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/b6c46bc7f5e4169bb43c72fef5cdf8c0/5E5B254E/t51.2885-15/e35/72994943_930586850646352_5555198576792385505_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=104)
(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/ee2fcb7dd6077969da7b37dc442298f0/5E4F2185/t51.2885-15/e35/75538144_2312622455533505_979691414343710224_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=105)
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(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/64dab492ec67d7e5fa17f9338174bbbe/5E503CC1/t51.2885-15/e35/75576659_402651064005654_9113304637929082151_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=106)
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(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/19eb80ff092c2e1b07ade23b9adc176f/5E6455F7/t51.2885-15/e35/73401882_484821068831960_8042428923668961929_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=108)
(https://scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/a65c5421229a95601104f578c3e703ef/5E56A3B4/t51.2885-15/e35/72251428_161653565052697_167455311545136002_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=101)
Your decorations look great, zombiehorror! :) I'll bet the kids (and the adults, too) loved it! Love the "Frankenweenie" Pumpkin!
Misfits, pumpkin?
Quote from: Mike Scott on November 01, 2019, 10:48:28 PM
Your decorations look great, zombiehorror! Love the "Frankenweenie" Pumpkin!
Thanks. I can't take credit for Frankenweenie, that was one of the wife's carves this year.
Quote from: marsattacks666 on November 01, 2019, 10:53:47 PM
Misfits, pumpkin?
Yep. Carved it a few years ago on a craft pumpkin and now it's a permanent resident in the graveyard every Halloween.
Quote from: zombiehorror on November 01, 2019, 11:09:42 PM
Thanks. I can't take credit for Frankenweenie, that was one of the wife's carves this year.
Yep. Carved it a few years ago on a craft pumpkin and now it's a permanent resident in the graveyard every Halloween.
Awesome
Quote from: zombiehorror on November 01, 2019, 10:13:57 PM
... I didn't get everything out because the wind was gusting up to 30 miles per hour, luckily it did calm down for the ToTers and we got a pretty good turn out, especially considering it still felt like 20° outside. ...
...
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I'm glad you got this Jack set out - great face.
Brrr!As much as I love Halloween, if it felt like 20 degrees outside, I'd be
inside. Maybe I could be coaxed outside for a short time if I was wearing an Eskimo costume. (I would probably be criticized for being culturally insensitive - when I was just trying to be practical.)
Is Halloween over? I know according to the calendar it is, but it never really ends in my house. I keep the spirit (pun intended) undead all year long!
JP
I still dress up. Took 2nd Place at work (a guy from Avatar took 1st). The weather was warm here in L.A. but not hot. However, in past years it's been up to 100 degrees on Halloween day! Not fun when you're dressed as Freddy Krueger, sweater and all.
Fantastic set-up, Zombiehorror!! I especially love the H2 pumpkin. One of the many reasons I envy you homeowners.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48994485337_c7680203bf_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hDtxxP)
Great Quint costume! You should have carried a little chalk board to scrape your fingernails on. ;D
Quote from: Doh! on November 02, 2019, 10:21:51 AM
I still dress up. Took 2nd Place at work...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48994485337_c7680203bf_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hDtxxP)
https://youtu.be/yrpmv_zOa0k
Quote from: Mike Scott on November 02, 2019, 10:31:26 AM
Great Quint costume! You should have carried a little chalk board to scrape your fingernails on. ;D
Funny you should say that, Mike: I don't have any photos of it yet, but I actually did bring in a chalkboard and performed the town hall speech at the party. The nails screeching first got the intended reaction!
Quote from: Doh! on November 02, 2019, 01:00:36 PM
Funny you should say that, Mike: I don't have any photos of it yet, but I actually did bring in a chalkboard and performed the town hall speech at the party. The nails screeching first got the intended reaction!
Cool! I wouldn't have been able to do the fingernail thing, though. Sets my teeth on edge! ;D
My friend JUST sent me this:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49001965088_5d1efa3382.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hE8T23)
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
Awesome Quint costume.
Halloween was a bust for me, this year. Not one trick-or-treater beyond two girls who are almost family and one kid I had to call over to my door as he hurried by. Not even the little girl, maybe 8, living three doors down from me, who is my only regular. Their house was dark this year - evidently away.
This morning I had the nicest Halloween surprise.
Someone rang my doorbell. When I opened the door, no one was there. Down at my feet was a Halloween stickers-sealed red & white, striped bag with handles. Drawn all over the side facing me were a crescent moon, spider in his web, bat, jack-o-lantern, witch with her cat, spider in his web and a little girl with vampire teeth.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49003582982_2b6f1f6f09_c.jpg%5B/img)
On the other side, was a smiling pumpkin and the words, "Love Sara".
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49003582902_3496c39505_c.jpg)
I was puzzled. At first, I thought it must be from the mom of the girls I babysit three times a week - but she had been here two days ago, on Halloween. Then I noticed that the name Sara continued around the side of the bag. It was really "Sarah". My friend spells her name without an h. So now I had no idea who it was from.
Inside the bag were a half dozen chocolate chip cookies, and fun size Butterfinger, Twix and M&M's - and this note:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49003377921_33e93c9d53_z.jpg)
It took me a little while to realize it must be from the girl three doors down. Figuring it MUST be her (I could not remember what her father told me her name was), I walked down to thank her and drop off the bag that I had saved for her in her absence.
She and her dad came to the door and while I was thanking her, I looked up at his smiling face. He shook his head and said, "It was all HER idea." Then he dropped the news bomb that this would be their last Halloween here. They just had twin boys and needed to move to a bigger place. That' why they were away, checking out the new place.
What makes this gesture on Sarah's part so special, is that she has always seemed terribly shy. I can't remember her ever saying a word to me. It has always been her dad doing the talking. Going to all the effort of making up the bag and ringing my doorbell, must have been difficult for her.
She left me with the warm feeling of helping at least one more member of this t-or-t aged generation build future good memories of childhood Halloweens past, and an expectation that she will do the same for the generation after her.
All-in-all, one hell of a good Halloween, this year!
Adam, that was a real heartwarmer (hard to do with my ice cold heart).
What a sweet story! After the disappointing Halloween night, to have this little girl completely turn it around! A years worth of good karma to her. :)
A cold Halloween here in Kansas, but didn't let that stop me from handing out candy...well over 100 trick-or-treaters! After 8 we had to do the "lights out! hide in the dark" thing....ran out of candy! Won't let that happen next year! Ha!
I would save that, and have it as part of my display every year. What an awesome thing she did!
JP
Quote from: Wolfman on November 03, 2019, 09:30:14 AM
I would save that, and have it as part of my display every year. What an awesome thing she did! JP
When I was thanking her for her generous gift, I told her that I had handed out treats for more Halloweens than her dad had been alive - and she was the only one that had ever left anything for
me.
As usual, she did not speak. But, she was smiling so broadly that she looked like she might crack her cheeks, when I told her that she had
made MY Halloween.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on November 03, 2019, 01:59:22 PM
When I was thanking her for her generous gift,
How old was she, or best guess? Old enough to print well.
Quote from: Mike Scott on November 03, 2019, 03:46:14 PM
How old was she, or best guess? Old enough to print well.
Best guess is 7 or 8.
Old enough to draw with some authority. She did not go back and correct lines once drawn. Looks like she made her figures with a sure, steady hand.
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on November 03, 2019, 01:59:22 PM
As usual, she did not speak. But, she was smiling so broadly that she looked like she might crack her cheeks, when I told her that she had made MY Halloween.
I'm sure that you have made a lasting impact on her, too. She will most likely think of you next Halloween (wherever she's living).
Quote from: Monsters For Sale on November 03, 2019, 05:33:30 PM
Best guess is 7 or 8.
I figured she wasn't too young, if they'd been coming to your house for a few years.