Halloween Scary-Stuff Has Begun

Last Saturday on my rounds, there was a semi-tractor trailer at one of two local churches that I usually check out about this time of year. They both have large pumpkin patches that are pretty super for their pumpkins and also for their own decorations. One of the churches even donates their proceeds to an Indian Reservation a state west of here. It is my favorite for their mission work but also for their decorations and consideration for those that purchase pumpkins.

The week before, I had started watching for signs that  would be an indication that they would be selling pumpkins again this year. And in the process it has been noted that some pretty scary yard displays have already popped up. Some are rather simple, but show the spirit that  I have always looked forward toward. It sets the tone for the two holidays of the season that we all seem to honor;  with our own traditions and the traditions of others.

Yesterday, while checking on the progress of the Monarch butterfly arrivals at the lake, I got that sudden and unexpected WOW surprise as I came around a curve on the West Lawther side of the lake on the downside curve from T & P hill. The lakefront homes that are on the hill side escarpment overlooking the lake usually decorate their home with some neat stuff. One year in the past,  one of the driveway gates were done in some pretty neat spiderwebs with jack-o-lanterns in the flowerbeds. And, one of the homes that I favor architecturally usually comes up with some nifty stuff, too. A big pumpkin sitting on top of the two outer and two inter gate column coping caps are stunning. 

This home, in the years past has tended to keep things rather simple but with a whole lot of class. I also favor that type of decorating over the full-gawdy look that some do by overdoing or just being carried away with the thrill or joy of doing some decorations. We've all been there. The old adage, "keep it simple, stupid" is always a winner in my book. And, that same home that I favored for its architecture not only gave me that WOW effect when I first saw this years display, it stopped me dead in my tracks. It took a couple of minutes for me to catch my breath to where I could make a judgment on what I though of the whole scale of the decorations. In the end...I'd say that the owners did a super job of creativeness in creating a show stopper with plenty of class and simplicity. Well done.

The eyes have blinking red lights that show up in the daylight. I can only imagine what it would look like at night.

Actually, with the stone work and the new gate, the size and the theme are all plus factors.

There are four skulls total. Equally balanced and positioned for full effect.

Carnac at Luxor

No, there will not be pictures of trips to Carnac. This is about being able to wrap one's mind around the equation of 3200 BC + 2000 AD = 5200 at a time when modern man is just now able to have the technology in machines and tools to do what the Egyptians did 5200 years ago by hand.

At a time when social media is being used in not the best ways and the world is so focused on teen idols that lives the life their teen followers wish they could, while at the same time pouring their money into the products of these stars that allow the stars to have what they have at such a young age blows my mind. One example is that of Justin Beiber, with a reported $100 million in the bank and still a teenager. Carnac seems so constant.

Having said that, the fortunes these teen idols have amassed still does not blow my mind like the way Carnac has in the past, or still does today.

Every art student should tour Carnac before beginning their careers. Did I just say that? Indeed. It's more about the time element of when Carnac was begun than what it is; more  inspiration than awe. Mix it all together and what can be poured out  will be a billet of life. One with a focus on forging a relationship between man and his creator and how short this life really is in terms of years. That is the great motivator. The focus. The object d'art. The canvas for life's work.

Another thing that blows my mind is how light can make or break an image.

It seems to me that more residents at White Rock decorate more during the seasons

Seeing horseback riders at the lake are still a joy in this fast-paced world.

 

Halloween. All Saints Eve. Goolish. Ghost. Gobblins. For a Kelt, it's just the first day of winter.

Some people don't seem to understand that the end of October in Texas is not the same as the end of October above the Mason-Dixon Line. The biggest reason there is such a difference lies in where the sun's rays hit the earth this time of year. Basically, Texas is about 30  ( more or less) latitude degrees closer to the Equator than those above that other line--the Tropic of Cancer and yes, even the Mason-Dixon Line ( which is nothing more than the southern boundary of Pennsylvania drawn by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Davis in 1767.

The angle makes the difference in temperature and hence, weather!

Here's the best kind of lawn pumpkins you can have. They are colorful, too! It can be cold, it can be warm.



Lawn Gifts





Some color beginning to show

The Pelicans are back!

Don't Mess with New Year's Day!

Old Bench, hay bales and pumpkins!

A cute scarecrow in the middle of Pumpkin sales.

Yesterday, I noticed four or five large-scale landscape projects putting up Christmas lights and  it's not even Halloween. The stores are getting geared already for the holiday season as we all know. I tend to favor the traditional more than all the hype. The day after Thanksgiving is early enough for Christmas.  The sales would still be the same and everyone would not be as tired as they are when it's over. The rush to get the sales dollar for the next holiday before we've had the first one can only be described as Greed. You can't cut it any other way. If it's not Greed, then stay within the boundaries of each holiday. "Oh! I can't do that," you say.......well, my friend, then it really is Greed. Yeah, I know, some of  you like the rush of the seasons. It could explain why I have put up two Christmas trees in the past 10 years.

Going to the garden center, getting a small bundle of bow branches (for the scent), a couple of scented candles, an ornament here and there and voila! Christmas spirit. The old adage: less is more. It really has a lot more meaning than one might think. It's less habit, more mental and the spirit seems to be more genuine. That's what I like most of all.....the feeling of it being genuine.

I just had a thought. The advertising calendar is 3 to 6 months ahead of our regular calander. The thought is that I should celebrate on that schedule. Any one know where I can get Easter stuff this time of year?  Once, I knew a renown Anthropoligist that left his Christmas Tree up so that his son who was in his wife's uterus at the time would see the lights of the tree and the decorations when he was born seven months after the last Christmas.

Maybe we really need to re-think this whole thing. One wall could be Halloween, one Thanksgiving, one Christmas  and one Easter. The flag pole in the yard would do the Memorial Day, Veterans Day activities, Labor Day and Columbus Day and President's Day  could be landscapes outside with the flag pole. Cupid could be in the flower beds shooting his arrow toward the roof line near the chimney where a red  heart and ribbon would be hung.

That leaves the rest of the year time to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, National Pizza Day, National Spaghetti Day, National Chocolate Day, National Secretary's Day, Where is New Year's Day, you ask, It's right where it should be. The first day of the year when I can  sit on my rear, drink beer and watch college football! And don't even think about tampering with this day in any form. It's just fine like it is already.

This reminds me of Breckenridge, Colorado up in the mountain mining camps. The green is evenly mixed with the gold of the Aspen trees and all one hears is the sound of wind and running stream waters.

 

An Urban Pumpkin Patch

You would never know that it was ten days from Halloween with the North Texas temps riding into the 90s today. Of course, we already know that that is going to change come this coming weekend as a very strong cold front arrives and knocks the temps back down in the lower 50s during the day and a good chance to see a freeze with urban temps in the low to mid 30s!

It turns out to be a perfect day to find that jack-o-lantern and get it carved for when the cold weather hits and the witches in their pointed hats sail the night sky's on their broomsticks under the light of a full moon.

So, the good people of  Arapaho UMC have made it easy for you to purchase your pumpkins from them. They have a crew of little red waggons where you can load your pumpkin up and pull it to your car. They were moving pumpkins today when I was there. Their selection was great and the displays helped to get you in the season.

Great Selection

Great Customer Service!