Carded at Halloween
It’s bad enough at first glance: children being hunted down by a vegetable. But wait! Look closely. Are you sure it’s kids not three little piggies? Could the Big Bad Wolf have had an accomplice? There was a whole lot of huffing and puffing going on…(Postcard/USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
There are those who are nonbelievers.
At great risk are they.
They think the carved pumpkins resist not
but truth is they simply in wait lay
Sure the three Orange Vegetables seem to be congeniality celebrating with the party girl…yet, their expressions are disturbing…they have teeth. Is the trio simply waiting until the kid falls over from hyperventilation before they attack? Prey lured in, then pleasantly disarmed because, well, veggies may tend to get mushy and want to avoid difficult confrontations. Black cats know: Beware of jovial veggies! (1910 postcard/ USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Shrieks and screams – the stuff of children’s dreams
Providing cover for horrors and worrisome things:
Party on! The creepiest Halloween cakes.
Halloween candy packaging a recycling nightmare.
Scrutinize ingredients of wrapped Halloween candy favorites closely this year.
Worst of all:
Philly winning the World Series could trigger stock market collapse (True historical facts)
Oh, so innocent looking. Veggie love: “See we are just like you.” But what warning is the Black Cat sending out via bat waves? Kiss of death? Notice the clock strikes midnight! (1908 vintage postcard. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
So gather ye rosebuds and Butterfingers while you may.
Please, add a few trembles and shakes in tribute to Pumpkins’ best special day.
They don’t need to know, after Halloween’s glow, they are all Thanksgiving pie in your eyes.
Happy Halloween!
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of theHedge.
No mush. No fuss. They’ve found a way to stay and play! Fanciful Talavera Halloween pumpkins.(Screenshot: Gardenline)
Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I could be tempted by those Talavera pumpkins! The one thing that Halloween always does for me is increase my urge toward everything pumpkin: breads, pies, cookies, and so on (although I’ll pass on that pumpkin-spice drink). It also evokes a memory of the pumpkin-rolling tradition in Berkeley. It was the custom to go to the top of Marin Avenue, as steep and long as any in San Francisco, and turn the pumpkins loose. I’m not sure any made it all the way to the bottom, but those who participated say it was a wholly satisfying Halloween activity. Of course I never participated — unless watching counts as participation.
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Maas has 50% off on their Talavera. Tempted indeed. Berkeley pumpkin rolling sounds very moving. (Really need those non-skid shoes after that!) I’d really like to go see those huge pumpkin boat races. Traces of giant veggies that once bumped along this Earth. It is the season for tales. Happy Halloween!
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pumpkins are dangerous, we totally agree…. happy howl o ween
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It’s interesting to see some farmers inviting and employing small pumpkin crushers to run and pick on any pumpkins spotted their fields just before Holler-Ring – and even letting them haul off one or two (Probably to torment at a home as a lesson to others)
Oh. those are pumpkin farms…offering to sell decorations? Tourists, Not cheap labor? Well, maybe….May your Howl-o-ween howls be loud, spirited, and free!
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Happy Halloween!
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May your pumpkins all be smiling and congenital!
(And the Great Pumpkin apparently will rise up out of the Pumpkin Patch – even the sun is getting in costume!)
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I have to confess, I bought no pumpkins this year. Not even one itty bitty one.
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Pumpkin seeds are the extent of my pumpkin indulgence (year-round) . . . all other pumpkin-related stuff falls well below my alimentary interests.
Like every other celebration, I enjoy seeing the accouterments, but that’s the extent of our participation.
Enjoyed the cards and poem, and Happy Halloween back at you.
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Seasonal snacks are worth looking forward to. (Especially if someone else makes them and cleans up the mess afterward.)
I used two really like Halloween as a kid because for several weeks in school and got to write creative scary stories (practice in sensory language for details and the importance of carefully selected word choices) and make all sorts of Halloween themed projects in “art” time slot. Then all the art projects were sent home days before Halloween and everyone taped them to their front windows – it was a block long of a Halloween art gallery…decorations at a much higher level now, yet the old ones were enjoyed just as much if not more?
Thanks for the comment treat – Happy Halloween!
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Pumpkins are much less scary when appearing within a Pumpkin Pie, which will be the “Pie of the Month” starting tomorrow. Happy Halloween!🎃
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You’ve seen the Sun’s Halloween costume? It’s a pumpkin face…the big Pumpkin lives!
Happy Halloween
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/nasa-smiling-sun-image-giant-space-pumpkin/
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Thanks for sending that link. That’s wild!
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I’ve long loved Talavera pottery, but I’ve never seen pumpkins before. Fascinating.
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Those fancy forever pumpkins have become wildly popular here. (Also quite useable for Dia de los meurtos alters which has become pretty “normal” here also. Use the FB link to a local ( and best) nursery – click on the photo section and scroll ( past the fountains and plants and dogs, yes dogs welcomed there for more pictures. Bundle up – it looks like chilling days headed your way shortly – weather with snow – not just ghosts! Happy Halloween and paw waves
https://www.facebook.com/maasnurserytx/photos
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My favorite nursery, with tons of Talavera items, closed a few years after I moved here. I confess I’ve not shopped for another one since. No doubt there are plentiful supplies around here if I look for them, but I’m better off avoiding the temptation!
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I know the feeling….(managed to get out with just the 6 pansies, 2 alyssum, and 5 snapdragons I went in for…some people must have a grocery list to stay on track, for me, it’s nurseries HAHA)
This place is a favorite outing – tons of working gorgeous expensive water fountains and garden decorations all around (and the off to the side section with basil, and herb plants so I can run in and the immediately over to checkout without being too distracted….well, maybe a tiny stroll by the fountains) Happy place (but haven’t tried new dog there yet…he’s really into watering plants :o.
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LOL!
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I love these nostalgic cards! Happy Halloween!
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You are usually spooky central! Nothing like a bit of spooky business – old or new.
Hope you have a hauntingly wonderful Halloween!
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You too, Phil!! 🎃
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I knew I could count on you / your blog for spirited pictures!
Outstanding work….(bound to be excess inspiration seeping out from your serious writing?) Holler-Ring on!
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Thank you, Phil! Friends like you make it all worthwhile. 🎃
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Happy Halloween!
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It started off spooky: one of the tiger cats from a across he street came right up to Hank’s window…something about thanks for the thorough report. Hank was a-quiver: fighting instinct to lunge at the window, yet thrilled to have an unexpected caller – a friend? Halloween is certainly full of surprises., Happy Holler-Ring and rest of the week to you, too!
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One can only wonder what was going on in the minds of the Halloween post card makers of yore. Something really strange for sure. And you captured it. You suggested pumpkin pie as a fitting end to Halloween pumpkins. Better watch it, they may haunt you and give you gas. Better you let them rot, which was your past tradition, if I recall correctly. 🙂 Another idea is build a really big pumpkin slingshot and let them go out in a blaze of glory as they disappear over your neighbor’s house. Just saying. –Curt
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Happy Halloween to you, too. Enjoyed this post.
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