Seasons of Mist

Well, congratulations to the US Central Plains for finally jumping into the seasonal routine. I can finally wear a jacket outside, and the fall foliage is becoming quite lovely. Thankfully I was able to take a trip to the North and East this October (the most precious of months,) and was able to take in an Autumn to remember. I'm beginning to miss the magical region that is central Pennsylvania, with is winding roads, gentle mountains, deep streams, and old buildings dotting the countryside.

Glorious Autumn! Besides the colorful scenery, there is always so much to do in the Fall. Did you know there are people that have never been to a pumpkin patch? I was appalled! Who are these people, and where do I find them? I will take them on a tractor-pulled wagon right now! There's apple picking and cider, fall festivals, and bonfires. Anything to get you out in a hoodie in that crisp and chilly weather!

The most exciting part of October obviously comes at the end.. the very end. I belong to that population of adults who may have grown up, but still carry a strong love for the holiday of Halloween. In fact, I think my love for it may have grown as I've aged, since it was mainly about the candy and trick-or-treating when we were kids. I've never been into the grotesque, living-dead, bloody ax-murderer stuff. My parents never allowed us to get into that sort of thing, and I now kind of agree with them. To me, Halloween is a mystical time for spirits and creatures, and letting your imagination thrive. It is easy to feel the energy of its Samhain origins in the October night chill. In Celtic tradition, this was a time when the border between the living and the Otherworld became thin. So for some, the tradition of warding off bad spirits by wearing costumes to mimic or scare, has turned into a commercial horror-fest. However I, like many others, like to take this time as an opportunity to let the imaginative spirits inside come alive, and become what I possibly couldn't be any other time of the year.

 I was very pleased when I threw my first Halloween party back in 2004. Not only did people show up to carve pumpkins beforehand, but everyone came back dressed in full costume...some of which had taken a lot of thought. After that, the annual costume party was something to look forward to every October. Well, until everyone moved away.

And of course, there are the movies. This is the time of the year when I will watch anything with a little mysticism and spook. Anything to get me in the spirit. That said, even though it is now a 17 year old Disney movie, I still have to watch Hocus Pocus each year. Its just a must. I've already gotten it out of the way this year with my brother and sister-in-law in Pennsylvania (they even made up a drinking game - drink whenever you're ashamed to be watching it. ha!) Other good bets:

Spooky Musts
Legend of Sleepy Hollow
The Haunting
The Omen
Dracula

Witchy Goodness
The Craft
The Witches of Eastwick
Practical Magic

Harmless Fun
Young Frankenstein
The Halloween Tree
Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Beetlejuice
Death Becomes Her

You might be wondering about the absence of the most common extreme horror flicks. I'm not really a big fan of blood and gore. I like supernatural suspense and bizarre twists, just not really crazed maniacs with chainsaws. Ooh. But I will say that Shaun of the Dead is a nice little addition to any movie night this time of the year!

Happy Haunting!!