“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” — H.P. Lovecraft, “Supernatural Horror in Literature”

 

Halloween

Ok—thought I’d do my blog which was due last weekend—the day before All Hallows Eve—better known here in the USA as Halloween—to be sure you all were in the mood for some scary fun.  If you want something to do Halloween has a lot to offer.

 

How Halloween is celebrated around the world

       

• “‘Tis the night—the night of the grave’s delight, and the warlocks are at their play; Ye think that without the wild winds shout, but no, it is they—it is they.” –Cleveland Coxe

 

Canterbury Cathedral shrine of St Thomas Becket reconstructed

One place that never occurred to me as being haunted was churches—It just didn’t look appropriate for that kind of thing—then I thought about

Canterbury Cathedral

and the fact that Thomas Becket a Bishop (though admittedly he was appointed by Henry II and not the church (which was not uncommon back in those ancient times 850 years ago–he died 12/29/1170)—he was in

fact killed by some of the king’s nobles in reply to the king request that some one would rid him of the troublesome bishop—  which they did but though there have reportedly been at least one incident—at least that’s what the photographer said

or thought he saw I didn’t see that much in the picture– but the thought did interest me.

13 spine-tingling tales of ghosts that haunt the streets of Cambridge

 

• “

• Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” -Count Dracula, Dracula

 

The History of Trick-or-Treating Goes Back Centuries

OK do you have candy yet—-or are you going to darken the house and or pull the heavy blinds so they won’t break down the walls—-and a little yard decorations is fun for you and them—at least the front porch–front door and entry they’ll see when you open to give them — the creatures of the night–some treats.

 

50 Easy DIY Outdoor Halloween Decorations to Impress Your Neighbors

 

 

• “There is something haunting in the light of the moon.” – Joseph Conrad

 

Attending their own funeral–Pensacola, FLT

Old Christ Church, Pensacola, Fl.

This church was completed in 1832–in 1839 Rev. Joseph Saunders died of Yellow Fever and was laid to rest beneath the church vestry room.  In later years the vestry was torn down and the church enlarged, eventually a total of 3 rectors were buried below the church.  As is not uncommon eventually the location of all 3 bodies was forgotten and many years later the University of Florida took up the job of locating them—which they did and the church relocated them to a new locations.  Soon after this these three were sighted walking about.

 

Is Pensacola haunted? These 12 places might make you believe in ghosts

 

 

Night is a stealthy, evil Raven, Wrapt to the eyes in his black wings. – Author: Thomas Bailey Aldrich

 

 

History of the Halloween Costume

For the kids costumes should be visible—with lighter parts—like face masks that are skulls—or carrying some type of light that will reveal them—you can also put reflectors on their costumes—just a few ideas that might help.

 

 

We’ve all experienced it: That eerie feeling that something or someone was watching us; that an inanimate object had, in actuality, come alive.

Ghosts and Grave Stones

 

In Key West you can visit a museum with one of the scariest dolls there ever was–Robert.  

There are stories of a young woman from the islands introducing her charge (Robert (Gene) Otto, who was 4 years old) to the doll and establishing a relationship between the two—of him continuing to keep the doll and a friendship (??) with it even after he became an adult and married—he would paint in the upper tower of the house with the doll as company.

Eventually he passed away — Gene, not Robert and there was all manner of children telling adults of Robert watching them and more from his continue location at the top of the house. When I first heard of Robert the tour guide told us that when Gene’s widow sold the house it was on condition that the doll be part of the purchase.

Eventually he ended up at

the museum

where it is said that you should ask his permission to take his picture and to be respectful—there are all manner of people who failed to do so and write long letters of their sufferings.

 

Key West’s Haunted Directory

 

 

7 of the Best Halloween Parties and Celebrations Around the World

If you’re going to a party or just handing out candy do you have a costume—do you want one?

It’s a bit late to buy one but you probably can make your own—I was working at a Monster Dash this last weekend and I wore black slacks and blouse—this added one of the huge and gaudy Halloween Witches hat I have—also dug up a pair of plastic glasses that fit over mine and whose frames were in the shape of spiders….I work a spider (on one wrist) and a lizard bracelet (on the other) picked a moon earring and a strange neckless and carried a small witches broom that they sell now days and had all manner of people telling me have great the costume was—little muss or fuss but a good impression—see what you have around the house that might work.

 

25 vacations every horror buff should take in their lifetime

 

“We all go a little mad sometimes.”           Norman Bates, Psycho

Is the West Virginia Penitentiary Really Haunted?

West Virginia has lots of crazy stuff and Moundsville

is a prime example including the above Penitentiary

(which is across the street from an ancient Indian Mound

Called Grave Creek}

The Penitentiary has a history of multiple executions dating back to a time when hangings were carried out here.  There have been several riots and the like–and probably a few murders of all manner of persons with in it’s walls.  It even has a creature call the

Shadow Man

that roams it’s grounds.

 

Other places of interest in W.V.:

The Mystery Hole, Ansted, West Virginia

The Mystery Hole (where things roll up hill)

 

John Brown Wax Museum

 

Where John Brown’s Fort once stood.

West Virginia ghost stories:    Northeastern West Virginia -Harpers Ferry

 

 

The Wells Inn— Sisterville, WV-–A haunted place that you can stay

 

 Halloween Health & Safety Tips

One of my safety tips is to always have someone preferably adult in the house while I’m passing out candy just to be sure I’m not the one to get a scary treat.

Also most places stop passing out candy around 9 pm.

 

Does Crime REALLY Spike On Halloween? Surprising Facts About Danger to Your Home

 

 

“They’re coming to get you, Barbara.”‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)

 

Top 5 Haunted Restaurants in the French Quarter

 

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Louisiana

 

Loyd Plantation

Where the ghosts include a London personage killed by Union Soldiers for being a double agent.  This was followed by several other deaths most of which are

represented by ghosts.

Oh did I mention that this is also a Bed and Breakfast?

 

Haunted Louisiana Plantations That Take Your Breath Away

The Hanging Jail in De Ridder

Featured on the Travel Channel 

It is said to be haunted by two men who killed a cab driver and were later caught and held here as well as being executed inside the building.

Connect with the Hanging jail on Facebook

 

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Louisiana’s Halloween Events

“Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.”   ‘A Nightmare On Elm Street’ (1984)

 

The last three pictures are from a neighbor’s decor this year—-her– daughter is my heir to the crazy collection of Halloween stuff–which the rest of the decorative pieces are mine—as is the skeleton picture at the top—It’s a large picture which I drew from a card I got a few years ago.

 

So that’s it for the Day Before Halloween—please enjoy and stay safe—-

“I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”  ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)