Friends and family who
know Walt and me, know we have a huge enthusiasm for Halloween.
Unlike many haunts, we
stay away from anything too gory or gruesome--no hacking murders or demon
babies. Mostly historical figures on the tombstones (some fictional) and
Universal Monsters for the haunt.
When we moved to our
present home, I assumed we would have opposition to our huge yard haunt. The
subdivision doesn't allow Trick-or-Treators , so I was determined that
Halloween would be a barren source of amusement this year. I thought,
"We'll probably do this one year, and then I'll have to find someone to bequeath
our Halloween decorations to".
Several of our dearest
friends, in the past, have not shared our enthusiasm for Halloween, so our
efforts were met with some "tolerance", I think.
This year, several things changed for us. #1
is we own our own home. My attitude seems to developed into a "nobody is
going to tell me what to do on my own land" sort of thing.
#2 We have some
neighbors that we absolutely adore, who have become good friends.
#3 (and perhaps most
important for me) My usual Fall Lung issues, seem to not be bothering me, at
all. (Thank you, Jesus!)
So the last week of
September, Walt set to the task of sorting out our decorations, and we began
setting up Halloween. First in the house and then out on the front lawn.
I warned our
neighbors, that I expected the HOA to be unhappy with us...but we'll just see.
Several things happened in all of this, that I
never anticipated. A couple that moved in, just down the street, started
putting up scarecrows and fall leaves and mums in their yard.
Our next door
neighbors (whom I expected to meet our Halloween decorations with a patient
indulgence) have been participating in our haunt, helping to build props and
liking indoor decorations and giving us a decoration she found in her travels.
The other residents have stopped by and told
us how much they love the decorations. The new neighbors even gave us a
hand-made trophy for Best Decorations.
I find myself meeting this season with an odd
amount of calm and joy.
I'm not worried about
someone "stealing our tombstones or other props" (as has happened in
neighborhoods before)
We had so many issues
previously, it led me to create this poem and post this sign:
ATTENTION!!!
Grave-robbers, Thieves
and Vandals,
say your prayers and
light some candles.
These grounds are
protected by an old gypsy curse
And just when you're
thinking
it couldn't be worse!
Our video surveillance
will give you chill
if One doesn't catch
you,
the other one will!
No one walking up to
us and informing us that Halloween is Satan's holiday.
No one (as of yet)
telling us how we are damned for our enthusiasm for the holiday.
No one found paws up
because of our animated Butler.
This Halloween, I think we did our decorating
for the best reason of all---for ourselves.
And , I think, it's
working out best of all of our Halloweens.
Until next time,
eat something
wonderful (like candy corn)
and live a life worth
loving!
-Kim
