It is the first day of October and All Hallow’s Eve will be here soon.
Like many, fall is my favorite time of year – but I’m not big into Halloween really.
Don’t be a hater – my kids have always trick-or-treated and participated in all things Halloween, I’ve just never been one to “do Halloween” with regard to all-out decorating.
I prefer turkeys over spiders.
Owls over black cats.
Chai tea over witches brew.
Maple leaves over cobwebs.
But there is one exception….
Is that not the scariest ghost you’ve ever seen?
I know. That won’t work.
It’s cute.
But still.
This little gourd was hand-painted for me about 20 years ago by my late mother-in-law, Mary.
I put it out every year.
It deserves a special place in our home.
GHOSTS
I am almost afraid of the wind out there.
The dead leaves skip on the porches bare,
The windows clatter and whine.
I sit here in the quiet house. low-lit.
With the clock that ticks and the books that stand.
Wise and silent, on every hand.
I am almost afraid; though I know the night
Lets no ghosts walk in the warm lamplight.
Yet ghosts there are; and they blow, they blow,
Out in the wind and the scattering snow.-
When I open the windows and go to bed,
Will the ghosts come In and stand at my head?
Last night I dreamed they came back again.
I heard them talking; I saw them plain.
They hugged me and held me and loved me; spoke
Of happy doings and friendly folk.
They seemed to have journeyed a week away,
but now they were ready and glad to stay.
But, oh, if they came on the wind to-night
Could I bear their faces, their garments white
Blown in the dark around my lonely bed?
Oh, could I forgive them for being dead?
I am almost afraid of the wind. My shame!
That I would not be glad if my dear ones came!
-Fannie Stearns Davis
Written in 1915
By the way, there are TWO exceptions.
Scary movies.
I love them.
The scarier the better. Just no cheese please.
I want intense, nail biting, super scary, make-your-heart-beat-fast kind of scary movies.
How about you? How do you do Halloween? Do you have a favorite scary movie?
Be inspired,
Turning lifetime passion into livelihood. It's about time! I'm Shari. I am a 40-something wife, mother, corporate professional turned design stylist, avid sports fan, and usually exhausted 24/7 keeping up with it all. I love my family, my home, my work...and the chaos that comes with it. I also happen to adore my beagle, Scout. 
Shari…I am with ya…not a fan of witches and spiders and creepy things…this gourd is so very cute!…What a beautiful keepsake from your mother in law….she was very talented!…I love it!…Looks great in any setting that you placed it in!
Have a wonderful week!
After you pass the spiders and creepy stuff as you enter my house you’re gonna have to sit by yourself to watch the scary movie.
~Bliss~
I am the same way not into the whole witches thing. I am more of the Harvest type.
Cynthia
I love the painted ghost. What a treasure you have! I am a lover of decorating for Halloween, cute witches and such, but I do not do the costume thing!
He’s my kind of ghost -smiling and happy! As a kid, I checked the closets and under my bed before I could sleep (I may or may not still do this when my hubs is away)!!
Needless to say, when the scary movie commercials come on, I always avert my eyes!
Kelly
I love your little gourd….what a treasure! I love all things Halloween. My favorite scary movie is “Curdled” by Quentin Tarrantino, an oldy but a goody! I also seriously love that poem at the end of your post. Where did you find that??
Isn’t that the cutest?!! It looks like your mother in law was a very talented lady! We don’t decorate a whole lot for Halloween and my daughter isn’t into the whole creepy decor either, so we just do some glittered pumpkins and a few Fall decorations and call it good.