Treats or Dia de Los Muertos

Little ones in costumes love this holiday...who wouldn't with all that candy being handed out! Parents also indulge in strange get-ups.

I'm happy to wear my favorite witching hat once a year!

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is also celebrated by many of us with Hispanic heritage...or not.

It's a great time of year to remember our dear loved ones who have died.

Happy Halloween to all!

Here's hoping your season of spooky fun is enjoyable,  and that those who take it seriously also have satisfaction in honoring their ancestors, communing with the dead, and gathering for community.

There's a pottery show I'm getting ready for.  I have to limit my participation to indoor shows...just the limitations of this old body these days.

Here are the two photos I sent to Marion Arts Council for their brochure which is printed for the benefit of the customers.

This is for the Appalachian Pottery Show in McDowel High School the first Saturday of December.  Which happens to be Dec. 1.

Hope you can come if you're in the area.  There's a fee of $5 to browse some of the best pottery around...in the comfort of being indoors!

In the meantime, I'm preparing for a show in Owen Middle School right here in Black Mountain the following Saturday, Dec. 8.

Holy or not, Halloween

My friends who are Wiccan celebrate this holiday differently than most of America.  They also hope the stereotypical witch costume of an ugly hag will be replaced by the more normal look of true witches...though that's not likely to happen.  This is a holy night, called Samhain (spoken as Sow-wain.)

Here are a few photos of Halloween this year, taken mostly from the internet of cousins and friends, or our town's celebration of candy.

From Vintage News on Facebook

From Vintage News on Facebook

Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead) is also celebrated by many of us with Hispanic heritage...or not.

There was a ritual for honoring our ancestors which Inanna's Daughters held on Sunday before Samhain... See my post HERE.

I'm sharing this on Sepia Saturday this week.  Come over and see what other spooky findings have been shared HERE.

 

Today's quote:

Power is not about exerting our will over others, it is about being in complete truth with yourself.

Madisyn Taylor. Daily Om

Happy Halloween

Pumpkins, Jack-O-Lanterns, Trick or Treats, scary stories...houses decorated with candles and ghosts.

For me it's a joyful holiday which includes honoring my ancestors.  It's the end of the farming season, and many of my ancestors were farmers.  They take in the hay and store it for the animals over the winter.  Then gather those pumpkins, dig the sweet potatoes before the first frost, and store them in a cool dark place.

I grew sweet potatoes and was out digging in my raised bed at the Carver Community. Center last week.

Here are some photos to share, as well as nice dirty potatoes!

Before, some of the leaves have shriveled from frost already

What will lie beneath the vines and weeds?

Not very promising at furthest reaches of the roots!

Out of focus, but most potatoes apparently are right at the vine's connection to roots, I call this the Turning Point, where on a cellular level there are roots going one way, and vine going the other...strange happening in every plant!

Not too promising, many skinny roots, only a few fat enough to be called a potato

And that's my haul.

I gave away a few to a friend!  And these are in my cool dark cupboard waiting for me to enjoy!

 Will I go water them every other day again next summer? Nah.  The tomatoes didn't produce, and I got tired of all the basil (some is still growing inside now)...and I mainly enjoyed the big sunflowers.  I'm going back to pots for gardening on my porch next year.


Today's quote:

What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?
– Robert Schuller

This is my idea of Hallow-een

Ancestors are honored

Popular lore of witchcraft is ignored, as the idea of scaring each other

Samhain (pronounced Sow-wain) is a time to celebrate, definitely. But also to be serious in honoring the lives of those who have gone before us...who gave us life.

Harvest abundance is still around.  And yet, it's turning toward colder weather, so there are those globes of pumpkins all around.  And oh, the falling colorful leaves! I crunch them underfoot with delight.  Memories of playing in the dried leaves from childhood give me a smile.

I'm remembering some good friends too, who live a long way away.  Sending them lots of my good energies that they are happy and well.