365 Inspirations—304: Halloween

Halloween brings back too many memories to count. I was born on Oct. 28th, but I was taken home from the hospital on Halloween. I was a Halloween baby. My father tells the story of how my parents brought be home on that day and how the kids in the neighborhood were being noisy and were told to be quiet because there was a new baby in the house.

I grew up with birthdays and costume parties rolled into one. Devils, skeletons, witches, goblins, fairies, princesses, ghosts, and angels all showed up at my doorstep for a party.

I loved trick or treating and have fond memories of freely roaming the neighborhood for candy with my friends and getting an entire pillowcase full of it by the end of the evening. Back in the day, kids had a lot more freedom than they do now.

I remember learning this 1969 tune in elementary school. I have a great memory for songs and often remember words to songs even after hearing something for the first time. This song's words have stuck with me since childhood.

Up until my 40th birthday, I held big Halloween parties in my house with a live band and the works. These days, I don't do it anymore and I wonder if I'm losing my zest for Halloween. This is my absolute favorite time of year. Today I hung up some decorations, bought some candy for the THREE kids we will probably have tonight and I still need to carve our pumpkin!

I had breakfast with my best friend this morning. She took me out for a belated birthday meal. She is tied into my many Halloween memories. She has to go to her kids' kindergarden today for a Halloween party and I helped her get stickers and other things for this evening. It was fun. She bought me an artist's portfolio for all the collages I've been making these days.

Tonight maybe my husband and I will watch a movie and eat popcorn. We want to be around for the kids tonight.

Do you have fond memories of Halloween? What are they?

365 Inspirations—294: FOG

“Under the thinning fog the surf curled and creamed, almost without sound, like a thought trying to form itself on the edge of consciousness.”—Raymond Chadler 

The weather after my late night classes at the college was fitting to my mood. It's a Freddy Krueger kind of night out there in Seattle and I kind of understand now why this area is the perfect backdrop for vampire movies. I told my volunteer, after my class was over, that I had to go the bathroom, so he said good-bye and left. Usually we walk together to the parking lot.

I was the LAST one leaving the dark campus and just moments before my last class a teacher warned me that there have been instances of a few students getting jumped by someone at night.

I didn't pay the teacher much mind as I scurried to get ready for my class, but his words came back to me after class as I exited the building all alone into the thick fog. I had to walk about five minutes to my car. Everyone was gone from the parking lot except a figure, a person, standing there by himself. I could just barely make out his form in the fog.

My mind started racing as I thought of what I would do in case this person was 'the jumper.'

The figure was now walking fast in my direction and there was noone else in sight.

My heart pounded in my throat. I grabbed the glass bottle of water from my backpack and held it in my hand like a miniature baseball bat and practiced a few swings.

I looked behind me to see if anyone else was around.

Noone.

The figure was now between me and my car.

How on earth would I get to my car? I thought.

Just then I heard my name.

"Kathy, it's me! I just came over to make sure you made it to your car safely."

I let out a huge sigh of relief. It was my volunteer. He waited to make sure I wasn't the last one out of the parking lot. It was such a nice gesture!

Note to self: Do not walk to parking lot alone at night. Always walk with a friend or volunteer.

I know I probably just spooked myself and since Halloween is just around the corner, this is my scary story.

On the way home, I was actually inspired by the mystery of fog. We have a choice of what we imagine lurks beyond the fog. Driving home it felt like there was no past or future, because all I could see was an inch in front of my car. I was okay with being in the present finally.

Do you have much fog where you live? How do you feel about it?

365 Inspirations—268: My Favorite Season—Fall is Here!

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."—Albert Camus

Some people can't wait for the warm weather of summer to hit or the merry days of the winter season with snow, holidays and skiing. While I enjoy the other seasons, fall is my FAVORITE.

I was born on October 28th—three days before Halloween. As a child, my memories of this season are quite vivid. My father told the story of how I came home as a newborn baby on Halloween and how he had to chase some kids away outside because they were making too much noise.

Ghosts, devils, vampires, fairies, clowns, skeletons, pumpkins and other characters used to show up at my house for a combined birthday/halloween party when I was a kid. Up until my 40th birthday, I still enjoyed throwing Halloween costume parties at my house. I even had a few live bands in my living room.

I had my writing group over to my house last Friday and one of the members asked why I don't have my Halloween parties anymore. I thought, Well, maybe I'm too old for them?

Instead of Halloween parties, I've been choosing to go away for my Halloween/birthday weekend to a scenic, relaxing place like a hot spring or country town. Last year we went to Breitenbush Hotspring in Oregon.

But maybe I should bring the Halloween parties back. They don't have to be huge, just a fun gathering with friends.

I saw pumpkins in the grocery store the other day. It seems a bit early, but I was happy to see them. I take a scenic road to work that has a canopy of maple trees overhead. I noticed a tinge of change in the leaves colors. I can't wait to watch them change on my way to work. I am no longer wearing short sleeves and sandals. Instead, I actually need a jacket! Warm soups and hot teas are sounding like a better choice right now.

Fall started officially last Sunday and don't forget to turn your clocks back on November 3rd—you still have some time.

Happy fall everyone!

Do you like fall season? What is your favorite season?