Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The Lovely Month of.......October?

I'm probably going to take some flack for this one, but I hate Halloween.  I always have, even as a child.   Sure there are the treats, and I think dressing up is a fun as a the next person does, but.......


I have borrowed this quote, because the writer expressed so well the way I feel about this too.  It is from a now-defunct blog called "Appalachian Dream."  Since it is no longer in existence, I don't think I'm too out of line for borrowing it:

"I'm one of those who is glad when Halloween passes.  October is one of my favorite autumnal months, and I...well...I truly detest turning around in stores all month, and seeing big spiders and melting rubber faces, and hearing ghastly recorded moans.  Being creative, I guess I hate destruction.  Loving life, I hate death culture."

October is one of my favorite months as well, (the other being May) and I really resent it being interupted, and sometimes ruined by constant ads for horror movies, creepy decor everywhere, and the month-long emphasis on a hideous, pagan celebration that disturbs me.  I don't see autumn as 'death,' but dormancy - with a promise of life to come again. 


In Jan Karon's books, Father Tim would frequently ask his wife Cynthia for a list of things she loved or hated. She was always ready with an answer, and very definite about her likes and dislikes.  In October, I love: 
  • Breezes that are cool, then nippy, then frosty by turns. 
  • The slowing down from the frantic pace of summer, to the cozy, stay-at-home with hand-work of winter. 
  • Settling back into the couch with a throw, a cup of something hot, a cat on my lap, and a good book.
  • The riotous color of foliage, the quieter yellows of the underbrush, the deepening color of streams and ponds, and the changing light as the angle of the sun drops lower.  
  • The change in the kitchen, from light, quick meals, to substantial comfort food.  Soup - especially chili - and good crusty bread.     



What are YOUR favorite things about October?  If you say "Halloween," that's OK too.  To each his own . 

5 comments:

  1. I like "Reformation Day" better! Except for dressing up my dog for costume contests in the past, I'll pass on the other holiday for all the reasons you mentioned. I love the prevalence of winter squash - YUM. I love hot drinks and candles and fires in the fireplace.

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  2. Maybe I should explain. "All Hallow's Eve," known today as Halloween, is the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg. Since that event is considered the primary catalyst for the Protestant Reformation, some call it Reformation Day.

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  3. AMEN...amen...amen...Amen.
    I hate halloweenie but do celebrate Harvest which God gave us and, if we like to eat, which I do, we should all celebrate Harvest.
    As a practicing Christian, I celebrate only light, life and that which God has pronounced holy...holy days...holidays.
    I like Michelle's explanation of Reformation Day; think I'll celebrate it as well.
    Heck, I can buy my own candy and will get what I want -grin-.
    I'm visiting from the Fraker Farm, loving my visit too.

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  4. Michelle - (blush) I was raised a Lutheran (5th generation) although I don't practice that now, but I did not put the dates together. Also, the Catholics have All Saints Day (and Eve). Yes, there are plenty of other reasons to celebrate those days - and the rest of the season - that don't involve ghoulies and ghosties!

    Although the Biblical Fall Feasts are over for this year, the holidays known as the "Jewish Feasts" have a perfectly good harvest festival given to us by God. The Jews certainly celebrate the feasts, but in Leviticus, God says they are HIS feasts, for 'His People' (are Christians not His people?) to celebrate. Jesus and all the apostles certainly celebrated them. The harvest festival is Sukkot, the last one of the seven feasts. Lots of Christians are beginning to enjoy the beautiful symbolizm found there, while others are wary.

    Welcome Sandra! Thanks for visiting!

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  5. I agree, the special celebrations God gave to his people in the Old Testament can enrich our spiritual experience greatly. I think the reason many Christians are wary is because they think of those things as "Jewish" (including Sabbath!), when they are GOD'S, like you said! And they associate the Jews as those saved by works, although it is clear that they were saved only by God's grace, just like the rest of us.

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