It's the Halloween Spirit

[muckefuck]

As delighted as I am to be awakened by the sunrise shining in through my window (and today it saved my bacon, because somehow in all that messing around with my clock to reset the time and the alarm, I forgot to turn it on), it makes me sad to know that it will be dark before I get home. Especially since it's unseasonably warm and sunny, perfect for a stroll by the Lake. I had some fantasies of waking up early enough to squeeze a stroll in before breakfast, but those quickly evaporated. Then I realised: What about lunchtime?

So instead of visiting the Magic Meadow, I walked among the mansions of the North Shore. I've been thinking Halloween for a while now, but this is the first day I've actually felt it. There was a moment when I heard the wind rustle dry leaves on the pavement and suddenly got a burst of childhood reminiscence. I'm convinced the weather contributed, since St. Louis is generally about 5-10℉warmer than Chicago. snowy_owlet asked me the other day what place I still think of as "home", and it's St. Louis for reasons like these. No other place I've lived has imprinted me so deeply on such a visceral level.

My 10 year-old self would've gone apeshit over the houses in Historic Evanston: Nothing said "Haunted House" to that precocious kid like big ol' clapboard Victorians. Taking in the tastefully restrained decor, I had to ask myself: Is there anything edible sold as much for it decorative rather than comestible properties as the pumpkin? All the pumpkin pies and breads I can remember from my youth got their pumpkin from a can; all we ate from the ones we jack-o'-lanternised were the seeds. I've walked by hundreds of pumpkins in windows, on stoops, in foyers, and on porches over the past few days, and I can't imagine more than a handful will end up in anyone's soup or dessert.

I ended up at the shore, watching the waves erode a sandy shelf until guilt at abandoning my student help got the better of me and I shuffled back. It was so nice to warm up for a bit before having to return to the walk-in icebox where I work.

Comments

[keyne.livejournal.com]

Is there anything edible sold as much for it decorative rather than comestible properties as the pumpkin?

You think anyone actually eats those pretty striped gourds sold this time of year? :)

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

You can eat those? My mother always told me they were just for show!

Anyone actually eats those pretty striped gourds?

[ursine1.livejournal.com]

You think anyone actually eats those pretty striped gourds sold this time of year?

I hope not. They are usually sprayed with some sort of lacquer so they don't dry out too fast.

I haven't seen any pumpkins around here, but then Halloween isn't a Spanish holiday. Tomorrow, Día de Todos los Santos is a holiday for most here.

Chuck

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

¿Vens a fer la castanyada?

[ursine1.livejournal.com]

I will probably stick to my usual schedule and go to Punto BCN in the evening. Although they may not have the usual Happy Hour (2-for-1 drinks) because it's a festivo.

For most holidays here the difference is less traffic and diminished train schedule. You otherwise don't see much evidence of religious observance. And besides, tomorrow is election day in Catalunya, so there will be a lot attention given to that in the media.

I was at the big-box store yesterday for my weekly grocery shopping. They had Christmas stuff out and also some seasonal pastries. They didn't seem like they were specifically for castanyada as some of the containers had images of Santa Claus Pare Noel.

The store chain, Alcampo, is French-owned, but they obviously tailor the store for the locality. Here they mark the shelves for Catalan products, for example. And a little closer to el Nadal they sell different sizes of Caga Tió. I might buy one this year. I will definitely add to my collection of caganers.

Carles