Reposted from 2010
Hallowe'en is not a tradition I grew up with, and I've only grown more familiar with it since I came to the UK, 14 years ago this month. It is a relatively inoccuous event, although I resent, like the gentleman in the pic above, the abuse of black cats just because they have black fur.
I'll just stick to the black cat as depicted in this graphic. My family had a black tomcat for 15 years in the 1970s and 1980s, and he was the friendliest creature you could care to find. Other cats, around at the time, would agree or disagree with that vehemently; other toms would get a sound thrashing out of him, whilst the females of the species got all they ever wanted out of him and more.
Donna provided me with this graphic 4 years ago, and I'm glad to see she's slowly getting back in the habit. She was also behind this graphic
which had us trick-or-treating through J-land, meaning this image is at least 4 years old. I had two Hallowe'ens in J-land (2006 and 2007); J-land was closed on Hallowe'en 2008. I was sitting in an airport lounge at Aberdeen when news came through that our blogs had gone. I've never understood why they had to be deleted, rather than being kept in an archived status. It caused a lot of upset, and I've not forgiven AOL for it.Hallowe'en has a serious side to it. Its full name is All Hallows' Eve, the day before All Hallows, when we remember those that have passed away. 1 November will be the day, 3½ years ago, that my mother passed away, and I'll bear that in mind on the day. Others who have recently lost loved ones or friends will be kept in mind on that day. November is also the month that I post the links to journals whose bloggers have gone before, and I'm closing this admittedly sombre post with that.
In remembering those that went before us, we will gain strength from their memory and the fortitude they showed in adversity.
One Girl's Head Noise (UK) - Pam, RIP 16 April 2006
There are no Sundays - Jim, RIP April 2007
The Diatom Project - Walt, RIP 27 April 2007
Pennie's Pieces of Ohio - Penny, RIP 1 October 2007
My Reason for Reasoning - Barbara, RIP 20 November 2007
Lahoma's Laments - Lahoma, RIP 25 December 2007
I shaved my legs for this??? - Kim, RIP 26 December 2007
Sylvia Boiling, RIP 2 May 2008
Dribble by Chuck Ferris - Chuck, RIP 1 July 2008
Lori's Love Tribe - Lori, RIP 22 November 2009
Just Plain Bill, Bill, RIP 28 November 2010
A journey of another kind, Jane, RIP 30 May 2010
Daria, RIP 22 January 2011
Angie Marshall, RIP 30 January 2011
Lori Johnson, RIP 16 February 2011
Rebecca Robertson, formerly as Journeyzpath (Summer 2011)
Say it Baldy, Sam Shafer, RIP 29 June 2011
Gypsypaths, Carol Martinez, RIP 28 September 2011
Well I try my best not to be too sombre on Halloween Guido,but it is hard,as it is 25yrs today since I lost my Mother,and her sister also my Aunt,died on Halloween too.They wouldn't want me to be miserable and depressed about today,but I miss her every minute of every day believe you me.My thoughts are with everyone who has lost on this date and to you too Guido.RIP all of them.
ReplyDeleteI had a black cat and just loved her. She was around for about 18 years and I often think about how much I miss her. I've been celebrating Halloween with trick or treat here since I was a child and love handing out treats to the little ones every year. It is a fun time. How thoughtful of you to put the the names of the bloggers that gave us all a lot of inspiration in your post today. May they all rest in peace. All Hallows Eve is a reminder for us all of just how thin a line there is between death and life. I hope your Halloween is a good one!
ReplyDeleteKim & I had quite a friendship for something that originated online...there is not a week that goes by that I do not think of her...excellent idea to post everyone. ~Mary
ReplyDeleteThank you Guido, thoughtful as ever. It seems sometimes that at this time of the year All Hallowes we are overcome with sadness at the loss of our loved ones. I was at the church service last night and lit a candle in memory of ALL our loved ones.
ReplyDeleteLove Sybil x