Monday, October 31, 2016

All Hallows' Evening ~~~~~~~~~~~~~


BOO!

Photo - with a little tweaking - from my recent visit to the awesome
 Lady Bird Johnson Grove Nature Trail in northern California.

This one mile loop walking trail in Redwood National & State Parks near Orick, 
was so magnificent, even though viewed in rain, that I will definitely be writing
 more, with photos of course, soon.
A place like this has to be shared again with all who may have already visited,
 and definitely with those of you who may not have the chance. . . . . . but 
I certainly hope you do!

The ancient tree-worshipping European pagans lit candles on fir trees for the
 winter solstice - this custom was transformed by Christians into the lighted
 Christmas tree. This kept popular customs alive but dimmed their pagan past
 to the satisfaction of all. There are certainly many stories/myths regarding the
pagan roots of Halloween.
It is written that Halloween was originally a Celtic pagan end-of-summer rite
 celebrating Samhain, said to be the Lord of the Dead. He called forth spirits
 of the dead in the form of ghouls to roam the villages and try to gather new
 victims to take to hell. People defended themselves by wearing masks and
 costumes as disguises. 

Will you wear a disguise on Halloween?
Do you party or take the little ones trick or treating?
Do you hand out treats at your home?
Do you love big trees?

Answer any or all!

"Happy haunting"


8 comments:

  1. Yes to the last question - no to the first three :-)
    Halloween has never been a grown German tradition and only the American military and their families observed it here during my childhood and youth. Over the past 20 years, it has become so commercialized that it is nearly impossible to escape it. It also happens to be my late husband's birthday, so I rather spend a quiet evening at home, remembering his life. He would have been 48 today.

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  2. Being in a new home in a new neighborhood in a new state :) I will lock the doors, close the shades and pretend I am not home.
    With 3 cats and not knowing my neighbors yet, I feel it would be idiocy for me to answer the door to anyone after dark. Or even before dark.
    Have a fun night !
    Oh .. I adore big trees.

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  3. First Halloween at the city house. I have to go put my 'Lady of the Lake' out on the porch but I hope it isn't too scary for the little ones. I bought giant bars and boxes of candy to bribe the little turds, er, older trick or treaters. I've got a tale for them about the lady of the lake that crawls out of the drainage ditches at night to get the bad kids that chase the baby ducks and geese and throw rocks and sticks at the fowl in the lake. For them, I got some dried duck feet and chicken feet from the pet store. I doubt that any of them will admit to being one of the bad kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Donna, you are a naughty 'witch' scaring the little darlings! I can't imagine digging through my Trick or Treat bag when arriving home and finding a dried foot of any kind, haha!!

      I know now that you're a lady who loves to have fun. Well actually I've know that for quite a while. We must get together one of these days - but not on Halloween! I'm wearing an elegant mask I had for a cruise ship ball - and a scary headband I found in a Sacramento shop two weeks ago - and of course black clothes. We will hand out candy here then go to our daughter's home to see her over the top decor, and share a glass of something red and tasty to accompany any dark chocolate remaining!!!

      Have fun tonight - Mary

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  4. Love big trees! Don't dress up for Halloween. We don't have trick or treators in our neighborhood....
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love all trees, but especially the gorgeous redwoods.
    No parties, but I have a costume. We don't really have trick or treaters anymore either. Last year our street was dark, but a couple of the older kids still came by. They know I will have full size candy bars for them.

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  6. I never did Halloween for decades here as my ex's bday was then and she had never celebrated a proper b'day until I came along! So, we ended up doing that instead. Now, with Alexandra, we don't really get into Halloween per se, but we love theatre and theatrics, especially me, so we use the opp to dress up (cosplay). Something ppl don't usually know about us. This year, being in England, e did nothing, but last year we walked around town as the Mad hatter and Queen of hearts. I even won an award and we were featured in this year's local "Scene" magazine as such. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete

I would enjoy reading your comment - thanks so much for stopping by.