Hallowe'en

In this part of the world, we don’t observe the dead, we just shunt them aside with awkward funerals. In the past and in some corners of the world, however, this day has been celebrated as the ancestral doorway of the year, but since has become a children’s party game. Or an occasion to watch a horror movie. Or both.

I am not complaining. Hallowe'en arrived in this part of the world a few years ago, in the shadow of the coca cola xmas truck. Whatever the marketing strategy, it's not quite catching on - yet. Probably because we have carneval in various shapes and forms, traditionally dating back to the dark ages with a history of defiance during the French occupation of the Rhineland thrown in etc. and then there's the feast of Saint Martin in early November and All Saints/All Souls on first/second of November - that day/night people here light candles on the graves of their deceased and the cemeteries look kind of spooky after dark. 

But thanks to coca cola and social media, who knows, there may be some trick or treat kids calling tonight and if not, the sweets are waiting for the Saint Martin latern singers next week.

I may blog about the Rhineland Carnival another time, it starts on November 11th at 11 hrs and 11 min on the dot and that day it's mayhem in town, and it drags on until pancake Tuesday in February.

More and more of my younger Irish family are seriously into Samhain hoping to recall their ancient Celtic roots, visiting sacred hills for all sorts of rituals. Good luck, I hope it's not raining.

Click here to read a bit about the Celtic origin of Hallowe'en. 

This household is now completely vaccinated against the evil viruses. We have complained about the soreness of arms and muscles and despite warnings of doom and decay by some in our outer circles have survived it. 

The garden is getting ready for winter, mostly. The plumeria has yet to get the message.

 Earlier this summer, the man accepted a horticultural challenge, namely growing an endagered species (not previously known to the area) that for whatever reasons, dedicated gardeners around the world have decided to cultivate, giving it a boost so to speak. Apparently, less than 200 mature trees (yes it will grow!) are currently present in the wild. From my distant observation point I noticed the word cult in cultivation but what do I know. The official name is Global Tree Campaign. 

The plant is Gigasiphon macrosiphon and it arrived in the shape of a single giant seed, which has been carefully nurtured and observed on a daily basis.

Here is what it looks today. It will eventually have the most gorgeous giant flowers I have been promised.

And here is our first and most likely last peanut harvest. It was just something that had to be done in the same way that I would put an orange pip or an avocado stone into a pot with good potting soil.

 

As for horror movies, here's a short one to watch.