Halloween - San Diego Style

Today my back felt strong enough to take a walk.  I used to walk 4-5 times a week...so it's nice to get back in the habit.

Tired out a bit quicker than usual - but it felt good to get out.  It was a perfect day - sunny and coolish! 

In Minnesota when my sons were growing up -  costumes were a year-round event at our house.  They loved to imagine and pretend - so we were often scrounging around to find the items that would make the perfect ensemble.

It didn't have to be complicated - sometimes just some face crayons would suffice.

At Halloween - costumes were kicked up a notch.  One year, both guys won costume contests dressed up as 'Jacks'.

Ryan was Jack the Pumpkin King from "Nightmare Before Christmas" and Nate was Captain Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean".  They both looked awesome!

I'm still looking for the picture of Ryan's Jack - will post it when I find it...

Back in the day - Halloween decorations were prominent in our house and yard and throughout the neighborhood.  My favorite was the 'floating' ghost in our neighbor's window.  Every year they hung a white sheet over a large hanger inside their 2nd story bedroom window.  With a black light and a fan gently blowing the sheet it looked really cool and eerie from street level.  Simple but effective. 

There was always a pre-trick-or-treat party hosted by a neighborhood family.  Costumed parents and kids would meet in their garage/yard and start the evening together with food and hot cider.  It was good to start the night with a hot meal before the inevitable pending sugar overload. That tradition is still going on in the old 'hood' over 20 years later.  Great memories of good times! 

As I took my walk today with camera in hand - I decided to focus (no pun intended!) on what kind of Halloween decorations San Diegans are showcasing.  Granted it was only a 2-mile loop so I probably shouldn't be too critical.

There were some cool carved pumpkins - although several had seen better days and were already imploding - or molding!

There were some ghoulish guys swinging in the trees.

And you can never miss with a spider or two.  At a distance - even the over-sized 'glitterized' Styrofoam spiders can give you the heebie jeebies.  

I walked by this tree and thought it looked interesting.









It wasn't until I looked at the tree on the camera view finder that I noticed what appeared to be a face... 



...I guess it just goes to show that sometimes you can't decorate better than good ol' Mother Nature.