Costumes Are A Tradition On Halloween

Today is the seventh day in the writing challenge. I am writing every day this month something that pertains to Halloween. I choose to write about Halloween costumes.

Halloween costumes are worn during Halloween festivals, parties, parades, and trick or treating. The original idea for costumes predates anything like we do today. 

The oldest date I can find on anything about Halloween costumes was back in Scotland in the 1500's. Basically they were worn due to beliefs in the supernatural, folklore's, and religious beliefs. Overtime the tradition has changed to what you see in modern day. 

Today, Halloween costumes in the USA is a money making industry through the month of October. As costumes are worn by children to go house to house trick or treating. Many adults walking with the children will dress up in costumes. As well as the people handing the candy out. Costumes are also worn to parties, parades, festivals and more.

I remember dressing up to go trick or treating as a child. My costumes ranged from being a devil at the age of five. To making costumes for my children when they were babies. I made my teen son in to a ice cream cone one year. I got the idea from a Good Housekeeping magazine.

What costumes did you or your children dress up in?

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called "October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

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Photo from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website.

Halloween Is The Time For Scary Pranks

Today is the sixth day in the writing challenge. I am writing every day this month something that pertains to Halloween. I choose to write about Halloween pranks.

                                                    

Have you pulled a Halloween prank on someone? 

My sister and some friends pulled a prank a girl we went to school with for Halloween. She got herself in to some trouble. It was bad trouble. She knew she was going to receive jail if not prison time for it. She had not been in trouble with the law before this happened. 

We knew a guy who was on suspension from the police department. As there was a pending investigation. We had that guy dress up in his uniform and go to the friends house the girl was at. My sister and I hid behind the bushes to watch what was happening.

The cop walked up and knocked on the friends door. The cop looked at some papers and asked if the girl (asked by name) was at the resident. The girl was the one who answered the door. The look on her face was something I will never forget. The girl put her hands out to be handcuffed and said," Let's go."

My sister and I couldn't contain our laughter anymore to ourselves. The girl realize we were playing a prank on her. If you knew the girl and situation, you would of been laughing too. The girl was freaking out so bad. She never noticed there wasn't a cop car in the driveway.

I Was Pranked By My Boyfriend

I use to listen to music turned up all the time. I no longer do that. As my boyfriend stopped over one day before he moved in. He knocked on the door but I didn't answer. He walked in and stood by my ear and said hello, boo or something. I don't really remember what he said. I didn't see him come in. I freaked out. He scared the crap out of me. I literally picked up my keyboard and start swinging. It met his ball cap when I realized it was my boyfriend standing next to me.

My boyfriend was able to scare me in four  ways

1. The loud music allowing him to move close to me with no noticed.

2. I was busy writing on the computer. My attention was on the computer. Not my surroundings.

3. My boyfriend came up on my blind side. I am legally blind in my left eye. I never seen him coming.

4. I am partially deaf in both ears. I didn't stand a chance of hearing him open the door.

Have you pranked or been pranked by someone?

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called "October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

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Photo from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website.

8 Animals Associated With Halloween

Today, is the fifth day of the writing challenge. I am writing about the animals associated with Halloween. How many animals and insects do you associate with Halloween?

Black Cats

During the Halloween season cat owners are advised to keep their cats inside. Most animal shelters put a stop to selling black cats because of the overwhelming intertwining of black cat's in the occult or witches. Cat's cries have been mistaken for a baby's cry. A human would hear a baby cry, go look for the baby to find a black cat in its place.

Bats

Bats are known as a Halloween animal thanks to horror movies like Dracula. Where blood drinking vampires turn into bats to fly. There are some bats that drink blood. However, they rather feast on mammals. A colony of 100 of these bats will take a year to drink the blood of twenty five cows.

Spiders

Spiders are known to scare most people. Which make them perfect to scare people for Halloween. Having eight legs and many eyes, they are a strange creature creepy looking creature to look at. Spiders are known to hang out in old or abandoned houses. Which makes them perfect to decorate a Haunted House.

Owl

Owls are another animal linked to witches. In Grimm's fairy tale foretells of a witch turning in to a owl. Like bats, owls come out at night to eat the bugs and rodents.  It still is scary walking through an area of woods at night. When you can hear a owl but have no clue what it is or where it is hiding. It's cries have been mistaken for human.

Raven or Crows

Crows or Ravens have been associated with Halloween. As they are known to be pets of witches. When one is seen is a sign of a bad omen. "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe didn't help the Raven or Crows image at all. If anything, it made people fear them even more.

Frogs and Toads

Both are associated with witches spells. Which makes them an animal associated with Halloween. There are several fairy tales about Prince's being turned into a toad or frog by a witch because of their arrogance and bad attitudes. While toads are thought to pass on their warts through touch or a creepy toad peeing on you. 

Wolves are known to be smart and cunning. Plus, howl at the moon at night. Wolves have been linked with the devil. As it can be a werewolf that can transform from human form to wolf form.

Snakes

Snakes are another animal known to be associated with the Devil. As a snake is portrayed as the devil in the Christian bible to trick Adam and Eve.

People fear snakes because they are to be slimy and crawl around on their stomachs with no arms or legs like other creatures. There are some type of snakes that can grow large enough to swallow a person to eat.

What animals do you associated with Halloween?

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called "October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.
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Photo from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website.

The Scariest Movie I Have Seen

Today is the fourth day in the writing challenge series. I will be writing about the scariest movie I ever seen. To learn more about it the writing challenge. Please scroll down to the bottom of the post for the links.

When I was a child, I remember seeing a movies series called "Children Of The Corn". I was in eighth grade at the time. That movie gave me nightmare for years to come. I feared corn fields and angry blank looking children. I always feared the Devil would disguise himself as a friend and I would follow blindly. Eventually realizing at the last minute who he really is.

The squeals of the "Children Of The Corn" weren't as corn. As the original movie. The producers tried, they really did. They even went as far to tell where Malcolm came from. However, none was as scary as the first movie in the series.

Photo from Google under the labeled for reuse with modification.

I don't think any movie affected me as much as the "Children of The Corn" til the movie "Jeepers Creepers" came out. I still jump when I watch the movie series. Each of the three movies in the series bring something to make me jump, cringe, and scared all at the same time. If you haven't seen

What was the scariest movie you have seen?

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called 

"October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

Attending The Johnny Appleseed Event

Over the weekend my boyfriend, daughter and I attended the an event called "Johnny Appleseed" at the historical Auglaize village. Located in Defiance, Ohio. What is so special about the Auglaize village, well everything. It is run by volunteers. Nobody who works there gets paid. How many places can you say do that?

One of the first things we did after looking through the small flea market are was ride the train for a small fee. The train drives you around the Auglaize Village.

My daughter was ecstatic like a two year old getting ice cream. This was her first time riding a train. She said it was rather bumpy. I laughed as my boyfriend and I explained that back in the olden days the only means of transportation was walking or riding a horse.

We were able to explore the train yard. By climbing on different parts of the train. From the engine to the caboose. Each piece had different information displayed telling about it. From the time it was made til it was donated to Auglaize Village.

From there we went and looked at the Post Office and other historical building. Don't I look cute dressed up as a person who works at the Post Office?

Receiving packages at the post office is a little different today. We no longer wrap the outside in brown paper. Our packages still get weighed before we can send them off. 

Schools back then was comprised as a one room building. Where one teacher taught all students. Some things are similar in the classroom's today. Such as maps hanging on the wall and the teacher's desk is at the front of the classroom.

Walking into Dr. Cameron doctors office was a sight to behold. My daughter said it was like walking into a horror movie. You seen old equipment, medicine bottles, and tools the doctor used.

There wasn't much wildlife except the spiders hanging around in various places. I snapped this picture quickly. as this spider was big. When he moved a leg, I moved quickly away. Spiders scare me. Yet they can take awesoem photos.

One of the reasons for visiting the "Johnny Appleseed" event was to purchase some fo the amazing homemade products. We took home  one mason jar of homemade apple butter for $5.00.

We were able to see live demonstrations on how things were made from scratch. These fellows were making homemade apple cider.

I took a jug home for $6.00. Boy, did the apple cider taste delicious! This apple cider beats in taste any kind you can find in your local grocery store.

Another demonstration we seen was the production of sugar cane in to molasses. I didn't buy any jars of molasses. I did explain to my daughter it was a type of sugar made back in the olden days. That many people still use today.

One of the last places we visited before leaving was the general store. I bought a few old fashion candy sticks. Plus a bag of old fashioned penny candy. The candy was being sold today for one cent a piece. the flavors were horehound, cinnamon, pineapple, lemon, lime, root beer, and sour apple.

Outside the general store you had the chance to bob for apples. I would of done it but I don't have enough to grab any apples. I do remember doing this as a child. I had a lot of fun doing it.

I was able to get a photo taken with my daughter. Plus, one with my boyfriend outside of the doctor's office. 

There was many building we did not explore. The miniature railroad building, the outdoor equipment and many more. One day I hope to be able to explore all the building on the land. 

The last thing I want to share is the amazing apple dumplings sold for $3.00 a piece. They were delicious. If you get a chance to visit the Auglaize Village, please don't miss it. It is an amazing opportunity to learn about the area's history, see live demonstrations, try good food and meet the people who generously volunteer their time

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Photos taken by and © belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

If you liked this post, you might enjoy reading yesterday's post of "Forecast Calling For Snow"

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called 

"October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

Forecast Calling For Snow

The weather in my area (NW OH) has been crazy. We have had rain all week. Now we have a leak above the front door. I do have a bucket and towels catching the rain. If the front door is closed and it rains. The rain will leak in under the front door.

Taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty

The landlord is aware of the leak. He did ask my boyfriend to see if there is a hole, missing shingles or if he could see any damage. He says he has to let it dry out before fixing it.

My boyfriend climbed up a ladder and noticed a hole in the roof about two feet wide. Tomorrow, he plans on calling the landlord about the hole in the roof.

Taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty

To make matters worse, the forecast is calling for snow already. I am not ready for snow. Or the cold temperatures that come with snow. It makes me wonder if we will be able to make snowman for Halloween or if the jack o lanterns will be froze. I recently turned my AC's off from the high temperatures. I don't want heat bill already. I would love to have one month with pleasant temperatures where I don't need an AC to keep cool or the heat turned on to stay warm.

The weather has been super crazy in my area. Last month there was twelve tornadoes sighted in the sky. One touched down. It makes me wonder if two days from now or next week if the temperatures will rise again. I can't tell from one day to next what season it is. As the weather is always changing.

What is the weather like in your area?

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If you like this blog post, you want to read the last post I created called "What October means to me".

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 Photos from Pixabay a free use photo website. Unless otherwise stated.

I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I also decided to join the "Ultimate Blog Challenge" I created a post called 

"October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

What October Means To Me

October has many special meanings to me. As I was growing up it meant trick or treating was near when the weather turned colder and the leaves started turning colors.

As I grew older october meant my favorite fall flavors were becoming available again. Pumpkin, turkey, vanilla are a few.

When I started having children of my own, October meant I was able to go trick or treating once again. Now my kids are too old to go trick or treating I look forward to passing out candy  to trick or treaters. I love seeing the different costumes and smiles on the faces when they realize they get to grab a handful of candy. Instead of one piece.

October also means the celebration of my teens son's birth. This year on the eighth he will be turning eighteen. The day after my family will celebrate my great nieces birthday. Two week later we celebrate another nieces birthday.

Talking about celebrations, Halloween Eve is the my family celebrates my Chug's fifth birthday. I can remember the day he was born. As I had no clue his momma was pregnant when I rescued her from a flipper. 

October is also the month my boyfriend and I celebrate being together for five years. We got together in August but couldn't remember the day. We choose to celebrate on a day we both enjoy and love.

What does October mean to you?

I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas. I created a post called 

"October 2016 Writing Challenges". The first thing listed is to write about what October means to me.

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The first two photos are from Pixabay a free use photo website. The rest of the photos were taken by and © belongs to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

October 2016 Writing Challenges

I am going to compile a list of different ideas or themes to write about in the month of October. I am doing this to help out those who need help in coming up with different ideas to write about. You may use as many or as little of the ideas and writing themes as you would like. 

October 2016 Writing Challenges

1. What does October mean for you?

2. What is the weather like in your area? (I ask because it is calling for snow in a couple days in my area already.)

3. Write about October festivals and fairs

4. Write about the scariest movie you ever seen.

5. Write about Halloween animals & insect

6. Write about a prank you want to play on someone or has played on you.

7. What did you dress up for Halloween in past Halloweens?

8. Talk about decorating for Halloween

9. Do you paint or carve pumpkins?

10. If you could create your very own monster, what would it look like? What would it be called?  Describe and tell me everything there is to know about your monster.

11. Talk about a haunted house

12. Write about food and drink ideas for a Halloween party or feast.
13. What's your favorite Halloween treat?

14. Write a spooky story to tell around a campfire. 

15. You heard a noise in your home, everyone is asleep, what was that noise?

16. The mayor of your town wants to ban Halloween. Write  a letter to the mayor telling why you agree or disagree with him.

17. Share a Halloween poem
18. Share safety rules for Halloween. Whether it be trick or treating or eating candy.

19. What Halloween songs come to mind.

20. What is  something that use to scare you but no longer does?

21. Give a vampire an interview
22. How much money would you take for spending the night in a graveyard? Why or why not?

23. Tell a story on the side of view of a Jack O lantern or scarecrow. What do you think they are thinking on Halloween?

24. Share a story of a Halloween creature who goes trick or treating like kids. Does the creature get found out?

25. Create a recipe for a magic potion. What is the potion for? How does it work?
26. Finish the sentence..............The ghost was chasing me...........

27. Pumpkin patch. Write about choosing a pumpkin.

28. What is it like to ride on a witches broom?
29. What is Halloween? How did it get started? is it the same as not, if not how has it changed?

30. Write about Hallow's Eve or all Saints Eve.

31. Talk about how you celebrated in the past compared to what you do now.

I hope you enjoy this month's list of Halloween related writing challenges.

Photo from Pixabay a free use photo website.