Thank you Halloween

The Pumpkin Queen and
the squirrel sculpted pumpkins
Photo
Barbara Muir © 2020

Halloween is one of my favourite days of the year. When I was growing up
in Ottawa it was a very happy occasion. We got some candy going door-to-door,
and dressed up as kings, queens, princesses, and characters from TV shows, but
it wasn’t the frightening, death focussed occasion that it is now.

For one thing we mostly had to make our own costumes. So ghosts were white
sheets with black eyes cut out so you could see, and probably a smile.

A couple of years ago I created the pumpkin princess. She is painted on canvas,
and stuffed with the bags I use to deliver my paintings to shows. She’s a very
practical decoration.  Because when Halloween is over I take the stuffing out,
and she rolls up and goes in a bag until the next Halloween.

What I like most about her is that she isn’t scary. She’s just celebrating the
wonderful day. She's queen of the beautiful pumpkins that everyone along
our street carved. I heard on CBC radio that one fellow carved 100 pumpkins.
I would’ve loved to have seen that!

We haven't taken the pumpkin queen down yet.  People's houses are still decorated, so I thought I'd show you how she looks this year.  One pumpkin came inside for a celebration for me.  The other two have been eaten and further carved by squirrels - nature's artists.

Goodbye Halloween, and thank you everyone who helped make mine fantastic.