Cheshire Gigantica: At 357 pounds, the best-ever jack-o-lantern stole the night.
Vashon Islanders take their celebrations seriously, in a non-serious sort of way. Halloween is no exception. Last Monday, town was closed to cars, and left to ghouls, vampires, princesses and pirates in search of free treats, treats and more treats from local merchants.
Little Cutie-Pie meets the Big Scary
Sporting the placard “Death rides a pale horse,” this mysterious reveler cleared the way for the eve’s festivities.
Some of Vashon’s fiercest pirates hit the streets in search of booty.
No surprise here, Lucifer’s wife is a real hottie.
There’s nothing a like a light snack of medulla obbligato and a glass of Chianti to top off a Halloween night.
Boz, truly delighted to run into his second cousin twice removed, was temporarily distracted by spilled popcorn (and anything else that resembled street food).
With goblins tucked in, ghouls on the run, and bulldogs immobile, All Hallows Eve disappeared quietly on the spirited winds of a Pacific breeze. (Pumpkin and night sky photos: Leslie Shattuck; all others yours truly)
Love it, love it, love it, neighbor! You capture the essence of our island so well! Love the pics *and* descriptions. (“Boz’ cousin twice removed” LOL!)
What fun! Loved them all–especially Boz’s cousin (twice removed!)
Great pictures and very inventive costumes! What an amazing pumpkin, and I also love your last spooky night time picture!
Wow, looks so festive! Some of those costumes would have had my little ones running though, haha.
Myrnie, I’m with you, they scared me too!
Tom!
I so loved this post 🙂 Your fellow ‘Vashsonites’ are very creative I must say! I just love that jack-o-lantern! I was wondering if that person received a prize or $ or if they just felt like sharing their creative ability? Boz’s relatives sure are cute, it surely runs in the family!!
As always Thanks for Sharing it brought me joy!!
Thank you Roberta, islanders are quite creative and love any excuse to display our quirkiness. As for the pumpkin, I’m learned a little more about it. The back story is something else, too. The talented carver, David Waterworth, guess the weight of the pumpkin at 357 pounds and thus, won the thing from our local market. What’s amazing to me is that the person who won the pumpkin has such talent to make it shine even brighter — on all levels. My hat is off to you David, our Rodin of Sculptured Squash!
Can’t believe it! In Lebanon they have had some pretty huge potatoes in the South, but nothing that compares to this and people think it may be due to the residue of the bombs;; no such fear in your island so I expect it is just the robust soil?
Joumana, I fear we have our own soil issues here, but due to nothing as dramatic as experienced by the resilient citizens of Lebanon.
But what was YOUR costume, Tom?
Susan, I fear some would say I wear a costume everyday 😉
Is Halloween over? I’ve been too scared to come out until now!I love our island-where else shuts the main hwy. down for 4 hours for a Halloween parade, haunted houses, fires in the street, and cider and candy at every business door? The costumes are mostly hand crafted for both adults and children. My vote went to the Mini pony with the mini covered wagon complete with 10 yr. old girl dressed like Mary Elen Walton (Bonnet too). Cool
Tamara, while I would never dispute your keen eye for detail, I believe this Mary Ellen Walton was actually dressed up as Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Ooooh what a lovely post & your writing is truly entertaining! Great pics too! 😉
Tom, loved your Halloween post. I’ve thought a lot about one of the comments on your previous post that I found unsettling and wish I would have had a comment for. Today I uncovered the following buried under pictures, report cards etc. that are stuck on my fridge. They are great words of wisdom and remind me of your attitude:
Remember if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: when loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Enjoy every moment of every day.
I certainly need to work on these things and wouldn’t we all be happier if we did.
Gina, thanks for the visit and your words to live by. Boz and Gracie are my role models, though I must admit, I’m trying to avoid begging for table scraps. The other dinner guests just don’t seem to understand.
Tom–great job as always! One of these days I’m going to drop by for a surprise inspection!
Good Rick, I’ll put you to work!
Tom, just found your web site and have to tell u that I’am truly enjoying it. am going to use ur apple jelly recipe tomorrow. looking for a recipe is how I found u. love ur Halloween pictures, what fun. it is my favorite holiday, when adults can be children again. cant wait to read more of ur blog.
Great photos and I’m taken with the zombies.
GIVE US YOUR BRAINS.
You know I loved that. And remind
Boz imitation is the sincerest form
of flattery.
Joan, that means a lot coming from the unofficial Queen of Halloween.
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