There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots
may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on
the feelings, as now in October.
~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hail October! All pretense can now be dropped in favor of the reality set before me. I have reached forward now and again over the past month, sampling bits of October-to-come, catching glimpses of things that go bump in the night, waiting in anticipation for this day to come. And now it is finally here. The October decorations can go up,
(Thanks Pat for my newest treasure.
It is a terra cotta bell painted to look
like my favorite October horror.)
the house can be filled with the scent of cinnamon and spice, scary movies can be enjoyed with reckless abandon! All this despite the fact that autumn has betrayed us and it will feel like midsummer all week long. I should live farther north! Greenland maybe.
To celebrate I have dusted off last year’s Halloween-inspired blog header until I conjure up something new.
There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame She calls, and calls each vagabond by name.
~William Bliss Carman
I have visited Martha this morning in anticipation for the Second Annual Tart’s Halloween celebration and have dabbled in some R.I.P. bonus reading as well.
And speaking of the R.I.P. Autumn Challenge, we now enter the second and final month. There is still time to join in, even if you feel you cannot read the full five books please join us in some gothic reading in honor of the month. Remember, those of you who finish your challenge will be entered into a drawing at the end of the month. (And for those prize winners who have not got your packages, fear not, something wicked your way comes).
Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!
– Humbert Wolfe
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And let me wish a wonderful, happy *cough* 40th birthday to my brother-in-law John. I’ve known him for almost 20 years (we met in college) and he is still as wacky and fun as he ever was. We spent an enjoyable adults-only evening with John and his wife Beth last night talking over old times and new and catching Flyboys on the big screen (review forthcoming). Happy Birthday, John!
I love the pumpkin lamps, did you make those?
Re the RIP Challenge, I can now say I’ve read some Poe – yay me. I think I’ll go for the Moonstone now.
The pumpkin lanterns are cool. I think I know what I’m doing this year. And love the banner re-do!
Can you come and decorate my house? I love this time of year, and even made some autumn incense – pumpkin & spice, cinnamon and cedar & spice – to make the house smell like fall. I may even get inspired to pick up some pumpkins for the front porch…
Sure Shannin, if your hubby can get me into a Vikings game!
No, Anne, I didn’t make the pumpkin lanterns, those are Martha Stewart things. I did do some gourd carving last year though and they turned out well.
Thanks Stefanie.
It’s OCTOBER!!!! WoohoooO!!! I went to Mt. Auburn cemetery today and took some pictures…rather ghostly ones, actually 😉
I am the anti-Carl. I get depressed with the advent of Fall. There’s something about that “certain slant of light.” Plus it means that Winter’s coming. And I really hate Winter. Except for Christmas. Then again, i love Halloween. so I’ll be depressed for another three weeks. Then I’ll be okay till about late January. Then I’ll really get depressed. *Sigh* I miss the sun already.
Wayne, I totally understand. I love all the seasons, but I tend have a difficult time in January and
February. We try to plan a little get-away during that time to help. There’s an indoor waterpark that we
take the kids to and stay overnight. I’ve learned to try to be pro-active and plan ahead. Plus, I pray, pray
, pray for healthy children. Being cooped up for too long messes with my head!
I am so happy October is here! Yay!!
I am glad you had a good time last night. I forgot to ask Mary about it this morning. Happy Birthday, John!
Sounds like your family has way too much fun during Oct.
We give it our best!
Happy Belated Birthday John!
As for the RIP challenge it’s been a lot of fun and I’m on book 4 from my list plus I’ve squeezed more stuff in so September was a very productive reading month. Of course, listening to Johnathan Strange and Mr Norrell on audio really helped. 🙂
Man this is my time of year. I am the energetic winter-preparer. I have looked over the cars’ tires, cleaned the outside of the house, resealed the deck and now I’m getting ready for cold Saturday’s with homemade soups and cookies, gaining weight, and looking forward to trying out my new tires on snow. However, with 90 degree days ahead maybe it was all overkill.
“autumn has betrayed us and it will feel like midsummer all week long” – Alright for some! We have torrential rain in the south west of England. I wish it were summery!
Well Tom, feel free to come over and do some of that overkill over here!!! The whole week looks like late June/early July temps. I’m rather disappointed.
That Dracula bell is completely awesome. 🙂
It is, isn’t it? I was so excited when she gave that to me on Friday!
Last year Carl arranged for the Tarts to carve pumpkins. I was, I admit, pretty dubious. I know how poorly my previous attempts at pumpkin carving turned out.
Carl set everything up so well that even I was delighted with the final product. Everyone’s turned out so well.
I hope you’re game for more of the same this year Mosker.
Hurray! Was my hint too obvious? I didn’t want to resort to groveling, but I would have considered it.
I’ll bring a tripod with me this year for more photos.
I had already told Mary that she needed to ask to see if the Tarts wanted to carve pumpkins again. Since the party is on a Saturday it will be easy to pre-clean them again. Unless you feel that you’re being cheated out of that experience.
Happy October Carl (never thought I’d be wishing anyone that).
We’re just having a lovely autumn morning. A little cold, but sunny so you can enjoy it.
As I sit in my warm office (because the turned the air off over the weekend) and it hits 94 degrees today I will think of your cold sunny day and be jealous Fence.
I hardly think I’m in a position to complain about the wonderful arrangements you made last year Carl. After all, everything turned out so well! I would not think of demanding to clean my own pumpkin.
I was counting the days until the first of October so I could get Halloween decorations up. Then I couldn’t wait and put them up on saturday. I love Halloween decorations, almost as much as Christmas decoration! I’m happy that you liked Dracula. He does look cool on your blog.