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| Not my friend's scarecrow, but I'd have waved. |
Last week, I waved at a friend lounging in an Adirondack
chair by her front door. Friend didn’t wave back, which earned her a second
glance. Oops. I’d greeted a straw figure dressed in skinny jeans and flannel. Hey,
the fedora was a nice touch.
Halloween decorating isn’t about a Jack-o-lantern or two.
The ambitious drape sheets over helium balloons to create ghosts. Spooky music
plays from porches, and dry ice fogs pathways. My friend gave her scarecrow
black plastic eyeglasses for a hipster vibe.
Halloween’s tomorrow, so time’s already running out for straw
folk with pumpkin heads, zombies in cast-off clothes, and life-sized
witches. That means I won’t wave at a
non-human until the animated Santas, Grinches, and elves appear late next month.
Hoo, it’s coming up fast.
***
My ninety-year-old mother doesn’t get out as often as she’d
like. She reads, watches a little television, and listens to the radio. I don’t
know where or when she became a fan of golfer Phil Mickleson, but whenever he’s
mentioned and whatever the context, she says, “He’s such a nice man.” Now Phil
has competition. The Voice introduced
my mom to singer/songwriter/record producer Pharrell Williams. “He’s such a
nice man,” she says.
***
Not long ago, I whined in this space about hummingbirds so
hungry, I couldn’t mix, heat, and cool sugar water fast enough. Now, the birds
have migrated, and I miss them.
I keep thinking of a line from a song sung by Joni Mitchell: “Don’t it
always seem to go, we don’t know what we’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”
Note to self: When the hummers return in the spring,
appreciate them.
How's your fall going, and where do you stand on Halloween decorations?
15 comments:
Fall is moving fast. Just a couple of weeks ago I found myself searching for the trees that changed color, but now they're everywhere. So pretty. Love this time of year. Our neighborhood is a bit "Grinchy" when it comes to Halloween, not many decorations and no trick or treaters. Families tend to travel to specific neighborhoods to do their trick or treating. This year I find myself wishing i could hand out candy, but that's probably bc my kids are away at school now! Happy Fall, Pat--and wish your fedora wearing friend HI for me. ;)
Hi, Coleen,
We get anywhere from a dozen to sixty trick or treaters on Halloween night. I expect a good turnout this year since Halloween falls on a Friday. Picture me handing out candy for both of us. (And be glad you don't have to resist the siren call of M&Ms and miniature Twix bars. I broke open a bag last night. Sigh.)
I've been enjoying the fall colors, but not into decorating. My husband realized just yesterday we hadn't even bought candy yet! We only get a couple dozen kids if that. Halloween is just not a big deal with daughter being away at school I guess. Hope yours is fun!
Well the trees are finally starting to turn color in my neck of the woods, which is always nice. I decorate the inside of my house for the holidays but rarely the outside. I live out in the boonies and the few people who do drive my my house probably wouldn't see my efforts anyway as the front of my house faces a steep canyon. All anyone can see when they drive by is the back and side of the house. But I do like to see other people's decorations.
And I agree with you that Christmas is coming up too fast. I never feel ready for this time of year.
I'm glad you mother still finds enjoyment in things. That's good to hear. And she seems to have an eye for the men folk I'm noticing. Even better for her.
Lovely post, Pat. I'm missed seeing you around the blogosphere. I hope all is well with you.
Happy Halloween!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Fun post, Pat. I just got back from Chicago where the leaves are turning red and gold, and the temperatures were in the upper fifties, low sixties...kind of like our winter. It made me miss hot spiced cider and Ivins Spice Wafers--my two favorite fall foods along with pumpkin anything, although the spiced wafers aren't sold here.
Holiday decorations aren't my thing but I sure love the lights when other people put them up!
Hi, Jennette,
Those who buy Halloween candy at the last minute keep temptation away. You're cleverer than you know.
Trees haven't turned colors yet in my corner of Texas. Here, we celebrate temperatures in the sixties at night and the eighties in the daytime. Maybe the lack of fall color prompts people here to go all out with Halloween decor. We have to mark the change in season somehow.
Hi, Patricia,
I'm never ready for Christmas, and it's not as if it's a moving holiday. Why does it always surprise me?
My mom hasn't lost her interest in people. I find it funny, though, that she knows nothing about golf or R&B, never mind rap, but she's a big booster of Phil and Pharrell.
I meant to be away from the blogosphere for one week, and one turned into five. I missed blogging the way I miss those hummingbirds, so that's another lesson learned.
Your trip to Alaska makes for an excellent read.
Lark! You can't get me excited about spiced wafers and then tell me they're not sold here. Shoot!
I'm envious of your trip to Chicago. Those temps sound ideal. If you got to wear sweaters, I'll die of jealousy.
I don't do Halloween decorations (it sneaks up on me and is here before I know it--I think it's a subliminal kind of thing), but am ready to start on Christmas ones as of Thanksgiving night!
Hi, Liz,
It's a testament to your genuine, deep, yet fun self that I like you even though you start with the Christmas decorations in November. November? No-o-o-o!
"I keep thinking of a line from a song sung by Joni Mitchell: “Don’t it always seem to go, we don’t know what we’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”"
You better believe it! Hey, things are looking up. Way up! You won't believe me but...guess what I found in my inbox? Yes! Your post! I don't know what's happened, but I'm not gonna rock the boat. I am so happy to be reading, writing and rambling, reconnected to your world! Yay! :)
Fall is beautiful on the campus of Montclair State, Pat - very different place from your time there. But some things are still the same which is good.
Patrick
Hi, Karen,
After many weeks with my head in the clouds, I've responded to your blog-hop challenge. Thank you for thinking of me.
On The Voice, Danica, one of my favorites, covered a Joni Mitchell song. Danica did a good job, but I always prefer the JM version. You, too?
Patrick! I'm happy to hear from you and glad to know you've been at the MSU campus. It's glorious in the fall. I hope all is well with you.
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