Tag Archives: Halloween

Monday Monster Musings

I should have known what kind of a day I was going to have when I cut my grapefruit in half and forgot to cut on the equator.  I haven’t done that since my sister showed me after she learned it in Home Economics!  (So I already knew it when I took Home Economics two years later; sometimes it’s not so bad being a little sister.)  So I did learn something today:  it is possible to eat an incorrectly cut grapefruit with a spoon.

I know, other people had other things happen to them — their own fault or otherwise — that were far more uncomfortable, inconvenient, or worse.  But I was struck by my own ineptness and wanted to mention it.

Could this be the reason I mis-cut my grapefruit?

I thought I would add a picture to pep things up and found this little cutie in my Media Library (I tried searching for something new, but had no luck and less patience).  So here we have a Monstrous Monday post.

It is also a Post-Rehearsal Post, because I have recently returned from a rehearsal of A Trivial Murder, the interactive dinner theatre we are putting on to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society (perhaps you read my other blog posts bout it).

Our host doesn’t look like this, but he has a more winning smile.

That is the cover photo on the Facebook event of the mystery.  Murder is pretty monstrous, right?

I hardly ever share this monster, but it is almost Halloween.

Here is another monster who is supposedly human. (Spoiler alert: I’m about to talk about endings of Halloween movies!).  I say supposedly, because I saw Halloween II, where he walked out of a flaming room in flames himself and flopped down on the floor, continuing to burn.  I could buy that he got shot and walked away after the first Halloween; maybe they missed all vital organs and it only looked like a lot of blood.  Those flames would be really hard to live through.  I did not see another Halloween movie till Halloween H2O, and I don’t remember how they dispatched Michael Myers in that one (although I saw it just now when I Googled Halloween H2O to see how to spell “Michael Myers”) (and I still think it’s funny that he has the same name as the guy from Wayne’s World).

So this is my Monday post.  Sufficiently monstrous, I trust.  I hope to see you all on Tuesday, when I hope not to be too Tired.

 

Sunday Cinema, in Progress

I thought I should make my blog post before it got any later, although I was tempted to wait until at least the next movie.  We began the movie watching portion of our day early so are able to get more movies in.  Naturally I wanted to watch all Halloween movies (I always want to watch all Halloween movies, but during October is the time it is easiest to get away with).  We began with a DVD which was loaned to me by a work friend, Phantom of the Opera (1943), colorized.

This is the reaction you might get when you try to take a girl home on the first date.

I did not realize this was the Claude Rains version.  I love Claude Rains!  I’m not sure I loved the movie, although I did love the ending.  Perhaps I’ll write a blog post about it.  I have not done a movie write-up in a long time.  I love doing movie write-ups.

After Phantom of the Opera, I suggested House of Wax (1953), because Vincent Price has a deformed face, kind of like the Phantom (acquired by different means but with a similar personality-warping effect).  For another reason, I knew House of Wax moved along faster.  I like a movie that moves right along.

Yes, that is Charles Bronson in the center. Vincent Price is hiding his deformed face, by the way.

This brought us to 2 p.m., when I knew Snapped was on.  We decided to check that out before going on with our movies.  Sunday is a good day for Snapped, after all.  Unfortunately, it was the episode about Amy Fisher. I was hoping for one I had not seen, so we reopened the movie debate early.

Any excuse to re-share the picture of our friend Ellie in “Amy Fisher: The Musical.”

At last we settled on House on Haunted Hill, because it stars Vincent Price.  I like to have a connection between my movies.  Additionally, this is a William Castle movie.  I loves me some William Castle!

I guess she doesn’t have a thing for skinny guys.

Oh dear, as I typed this in, House on Haunted Hill got finished. Now I must debate with Steven as to which movie to watch next.  More Vincent Price?  Another William Castle?  Or maybe something with a house.  Or a hill. Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

Non-Sequitur Sick Day (Have I Used This Title Before?)

So I’m sitting here half-watching a 20/20 on OWN and trying to make my blog post.  I unsuccessfully searched for a picture of the 20/20 logo, to pep up the post, but no luck.  I’m better at finding monster pictures. It’s really interesting episode, to me anyways.  It is the case of Stacy Castor, who killed two husbands with antifreeze.  We have enjoyed other true crime shows about her.

I tried to write my blog post earlier today, while at work.  I only got as far as, “It’s my Friday and I’ll cry if I want to.”  I have tomorrow off, so it is like Friday.  That makes this a Non-Sequitur Thursday right off the bat.

Full disclosure:  I’m not feeling well tonight.  I wanted to bag this blog post till tomorrow, but I have been doing that far too often these days.  What’s a silly blogger to do?  I guess I’ll find a Throwback Thursday picture to share, so this post doesn’t look completely pathetic.

“Want some candy?”

I used this picture two years ago.  It is a delightful witch we got at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit.  I must get back there soon.  I’m sure I need more Halloween decorations.  And maybe a pumpkin or two.  Maybe if I’m feeling better tomorrow.  And we’ll certainly hope for a better blog post.

 

Running to Halloween?

I was determined to go running today, and to write a Running Commentary post.  First task completed!  On the the second part…

When I got home from work today, I did not pause and change my mind.  I went upstairs, gathered a load of laundry and put on running clothes. You see, I intended to multi-task by putting clothes in the washer while I ran (and felt pretty virtuous about it, since I am not out of clean underwear, nor is Steven out of clean socks).  I got the washer going, then got going myself.

I started out in the opposite direction of what I usually take, heading towards State Street instead of German.  The reason was that I had noticed a house down the street with Halloween decorations in the front yard.  I need a little Halloween!  I saw another house with a couple of scarecrows by the porch, so that was nice.

It was fine running weather:  not hot, not too sunny.  Of course, I was NOT in fine running shape.  I’m not even sure when I last ran, but I believe it was more than a week ago.  In my defense… OK, I have no defense.  It was stupid of me not to run, or at least get some form of exercise.  What can I say?  We do not always do what is best for ourselves (Oh, I suppose YOU do?).  However, I was happy I was out there moving, and I can continue to get out there on a regular basis.  I hope.

The house did not have as many decorations as some (not as many as MY house is going to have), but it did look nice.  I love Halloween.  I ran past it and turned right onto West Albany Street.  Hmm… which street should I run up?  Not Henry, that was too close. Maybe Caroline and make a BIG rectangle.  Instead I went up Margaret, because I did not feel like running around some cars I saw parked across the sidewalk.  I should perhaps mention that my body was not best pleased with me.  I wondered how long I could keep up even my slow middle-aged shuffle.

Twenty minutes.  I could go 20 minutes.  Oh dear, I wasn’t even at ten.  Never mind.  Just keep going.  I looked at different houses, envied a few screened in porches, admired some late blooming flowers, and calculated how long it was going to take me to get back into 5K shape.  There is a 5K at Cullen’s Pumpkin Farm in October, but that may be too soon.  There are usually a couple of Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving, but I might be busy that day.  Of course I intend to participate in the Reindeer Run in December (perhaps you read my blog post about last year’s event).

As I ran and figured, I started to feel a little better about moving.  Not better enough to go a whole lot more than 20 minutes, but I managed 25.  Then I felt pretty darn tired.  But that hardly matters.  The only other thing I have to do today is make my blog post (what, fold the laundry?  Surely you jest!) (and I will call you Shirley if I want to).  And here I am over 500 words.  Yay me!  Now if only I can make it LESS than a week before I run again.

 

More Halloween, Please!

I have a LOT of stuff I need to be getting done, but, you know, I have always had the damnedest time getting anything done on a Sunday.  I went to church and got a prayer shawl blessed for the mother of a friend.  I went grocery shopping with my husband.  I made spaghetti sauce for dinner, chopped vegetables and made salad for tomorrow’s lunch, and… OK, that was it.  And I am watching Halloween movies, so I can at least make a blog post with fun pictures.  We started cheesy with Horror Hotel (1960), featuring a young, fairly hot Christopher Lee.

Not the best shot of him, but a pretty creepy pic, I thought.

The movie was in one of our DVD horror collections. House on Haunted Hill was also on that disc.  Of course we have House on Haunted Hill (1959) on a disc all by itself, seeing as it is one of our all time favorites, but I suggested we go ahead and watch it on that disc, since it was already in the machine.

 

I loves me some Vincent Price.

Next Steven suggested Carnival of Souls (1962), a really trippy, well made, low budget, high suspense horror film.

It’s scary! And far from cheesy.

I got the picture from a cool Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carnivalofsouls1962/.

And I have missed a bit of the movie while I made this post.  It hardly matters.  I will certainly watch this movie again.  I have declared it Halloween season in my household.  I figure if my fall allergies can kick in so early (and they certainly have!), I can enjoy the fun parts of fall as well.  It makes an excellent way to get through a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

I can’t see where the poster resembles the movie, but you know I never pay much attention to these things.

Carnival of Souls ended before I hit publish, so I moved on to Night Tide (1961), which is on the same disc.

 

Bride and Bunny at the Barn

Saturday when we were out and about, I introduced Steven to a the Old Barn Marketplace, which I have been touting to all and sundry but had not been back to in a while.  I cleverly remembered my Tablet, so I have some pictures to share.

Obviously Mohawk Valley Girl would like this vendor.

There were new vendors which I was happy to check out.  I got two pictures of Mohawk Valley Candles

Ideas for Christmas presents already? I’m still waiting for Halloween!

I know a few people who would like wine glass or beer mug candles.  I personally love the look of the head of foam on the beer mugs.

There were vendors on both lofts.  I noticed a bride dress from below and happily went up to take a picture.

Not a corpse bride, but nice (yes, I still have Halloween on my mind).

As we went through one room, I pointed out to Steven where a skeleton had sat in October.  I think I still have a picture of him.

Taken last October, but I am always in the mood for skeletons.

No, the skeleton was not there last Saturday, but I will go in looking for him again in October.  I like skeletons.

The last thing I took a picture of was a bunny doll I saw.

Isn’t she nice? I love her ensemble.

We have two nice bunnies of our own.  I must share a picture of them and tell their story sometime.  I wonder if we ought to buy them a friend.  I’ll check for a price on this lovely lady the next time I stop in at the Old Barn Marketplace.

The Old Barn Marketplace is located at 6266 State Route 5, Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-508-5254.  They are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  You can Like them on Facebook.

 

What’s In a Lame?

Get it?  Like “What’s in a name?”  I came up with the title after I wrote the following:

No, this is not my date for Friday night.

I didn’t have any bright ideas for this week’s Friday Lame Post, but when I was on Facebook, somebody on one of my monster movie pages shared this picture of Max Schreck as Nosferatu.  I immediately downloaded it, and you know my motto (one of them, anyways): waste not, want not.

Incidentally, every time I mention Max Schreck, I have to look up the spelling of his name.  I feel certain I am getting it mixed up with a certain green ogre voiced by Mike Myers (another name I must look up).

“What do you mean, you’ve never seen the movie?”

Shrek.  That is how the ogre spells it.  And it’s Myers not Meyers, Mike not Michael.  I guess Michael Meyers is the bad guy from the Halloween movies.  Full disclosure:  I have never seen any of the Shrek movies, and it comes as no small disappointment to me to find out it is spelled differently from Max Schreck.  I’ve heard the Shrek movies are full of pop culture references.  I think a reference to an iconic silent horror movie would have been nice.  Perhaps they did mean it as a reference but changed the spelling.  If I was a real cinema writer, I would research these things (and once again, we come to the ugly truth about me).

“No, I was not a regular on Saturday Night Live.”

I just looked up Halloween, the movie, and found that Michael Myers spells his name the same way Mike Myers did.  I’m glad we got that cleared up.

 

A Little More Thanksgiving

Let’s  pretend it’s still Thursday,  shall we? I  know some of us are still lounging around, enjoying our turkey (or other) hangovers.  I just said that because I thought it would sound cool.  I have the opposite of a hangover, thank heaven, because my headache is currently in abeyance, knock wood.

So I thought I’d share a few pictures of Steven’s and my Thanksgiving decorations,  while they’re still up.

Aren’t they cute?

This is on the table behind our couch.

He’s my favorite.

 

We rarely use our dining room table for eating.

The snowman,  regular readers may recall,  was part of our Halloween decor, when he pretended to be a ghost.  The Christmas you water bottles were birthday presents.

You can’t see it, but this is our buffett

The skeletons demonstrate once again our propensity for making Halloween last all year.

We don’t do a lot of shots in those shot glasses; it is merely a fun collection.

Our kitchen window also changes with the seasons.  I can’t believe the fall garland is still with us and in such good shape.  We bought it for a Bad Taste Party we held back in the 1990’s.

One of my better impulse purchases.

I’ve probably shared a picture of this fellow before.  I purchased him earlier in the fall, when he gave me that cute smile in the produce department of Hannaford.  And that makes me remember a few more scarecrows we own that I did not include a picture of.  My bad!  However, I want to get this published, because it is late as it is (also my bad).  Perhaps I can show those decorations later, and make Thanksgiving last a little longer.  Christmas can wait!

 

It’s Halloween!!!!!

According to my WordPress dashboard, it is actually Nov. 1, but here on my couch, it is still Oct. 31.  Trick or treating in Herkimer begins in just 24 minutes, that is officially. I fully expect early birds as well as late comers.  For heavens’ sake, who doesn’t like free candy?  Oh, I know, YOU probably don’t.  Fine, all the more for the rest of us.

Um, I don’t expect to get any free candy.  Steven and I will be handing out free candy to kids in costume.  I am looking forward to seeing the costumes.  If only yesterday’s sick headache hadn’t come back, my life would be perfect.  Don’t worry; I’ll wear gloves to hand out the candy, which is wrapped.  I won’t share my germs around.  And if I do give someone my cold, they can’t say I never gave ’em nuthin’.

Steven put this on Facebook earlier with the comment, “I’m waiting!”

This is actually a shot of our front porch last year, but it looks remarkably similar this year.  Next year I want to get some grave stones and a spooky-looking fence for the front yard.  Maybe a pair of glowing eyeballs for the tree, which it pretty monstrous all on its own, I think.

My challenge tonight is to not eat the candy while I’m passing it out.  Well, not eat too much of it.  Oh, how I love Halloween!  I think I will continue my celebration through Thanksgiving at least.  For one reason, I still have plenty of monster movies saved on my DVR.  Maybe I’ll watch a few this weekend and write blog posts about them. Happy Halloween, everyone!

 

Plans for Sunday on Slacker Saturday

A delightful array.

I thought I’d lead with a nice Halloweeny photo.  This is another Slacker Saturday post.  I’m using stuff from my Media Library, but with perhaps a little more method to my madness than previous such posts (has there been more than one?  I’m too lazy to check).

I’m starting this on my Tablet,  because Steven is on the laptop. I just really really want to  get my blog post done and get on to the Halloween movie watching portion of the evening.  The photo above was taken at Pumpkin Junction in Sauquoit last year.  We have not made it back there this year.  However,  Steven is actually off work tomorrow.

Aaaahhh… back on the laptop, typing with all ten fingers, as God intended.  Now I can get this post done!  As I was saying, with Steven off work tomorrow, we actually have a whole day together!  Yay!  Naturally, we think to make some plans.  A visit to Pumpkin Junction, perhaps to purchase a pumpkin?  It’s not too late to make a Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween!  And roast the seeds, of course.  Yum!

I would naturally take another picture of two of Steven.

 

I wonder if these fellows will be there again?

But Pumpkin Junction is not our only possibility for tomorrow.  We could also visit the So Sweet Candy Cafe,  in Utica, which decorates delightfully for the season.

He’s a dapper fellow, is he not?

Full disclosure:  there is every chance that tomorrow we will merely get comfortable and watch Halloween movies.  Whatever we do, I will probably write a blog post about it.  As always, I hope you’ll tune in.