LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Spooky Graveyard


When I was a child there were few outdoor Halloween decorations.  They were usually very simple consisting of Jack O'Lanterns, straw bales and scarecrows.  Nowadays there seem to be more elaborate displays, even out in the country.

We drove by a rather modest house with an expansive display of a graveyard.  There were ghosts and witches, skeletons, black cats and the Grim Reaper.  I stopped for a few photographs.


This is less than a fourth of the display area.




Several graves had been desecrated by spirits unknown.
This person definitely did not Rest in Peace as the tombstone says.




A ghostly carriage filled with frightening passengers

I wanted to take more photographs, but could see out of the corner of my eye a man coming out of the house with his little white dog.  He was walking toward the display.  I pretended that I didn't see him and quickly got into the car.  It's not that I am not friendly, but my husband was driving and we had errands to do.  I knew he would not appreciate waiting while the gentleman told me about every single display, where he got them, and how long it took to assemble.  And I just knew that was what he intended to do.  I felt terrible about it, even though I don't think he realized I saw him.

So we drove off without even telling the man how much we enjoyed his hard work.  Perhaps I'll go back out there this afternoon.  And listen impressively.

It's hard to think of celebrating anything when so many of our citizens are suffering.  We offer our thoughts and best wishes, and some money as well.  May their lives soon return to normal as they grieve their losses.


10 comments:

The Bug said...

It has felt surreal - kind of like it did with Katrina. So I guess if a holiday is happening in conjection with this devastation, then Halloween is the right holiday...

I love looking at decorations - of any kind, for any season. I like it when people are invested in what's going on around them.

Taradharma said...

good thing you got away...he may have been coming to add you to his goulish display! Perhaps stuff you in that carriage....

How Sam Sees It said...

We will still sit out tonight - it makes us want to know who our neighbors are. You never know what will happen.

He had a great display.

Sam

Ms. A said...

I've already seen my grandkids, so I'm ready to call it quits. I won't actually do that, but I'm ready. I prefer keeping the candy for myself.

KGMom said...

It is amazing how big a holiday Hallowe'en has become. It is certainly a long way from its pre-medieval roots.
Do tell if you get to "listen impressively"!

Rudee said...

I love that skeleton emerging from his grave. Do go back and tell that guy you appreciated his efforts! I'm certain he'll appreciate hearing that.

The devastation from that storm is humbling. I simply cannot imagine what it must feel like to lose everything.

Folkways Note Book said...

My neighbor down the road built a similar graveyard plus a homemade haunted house. Unfortunately, after all their hard work, the homemade house blew down when the Sandy winds arrived here a few days ago. Nice post -- barbara

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Life is **definitely** better in the mountains!

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Agreed, I have a hard time thinking of doing much here, almost frozen thinking about the folks who got hit by this monster storm. We were hit by Isabel and each storm brings it back to the surface. I can't imagine how these people are going to move forward. It is just awful.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I did drive back the next day but unfortunately the high winds had pretty much upturned the display. But next year I will definitely stop to listen to the man and his story.