Post Hallowe'en Blues?

Over at the Universal Monster Army (join already!) I've been reading a recent discussion of after-Hallowe'en depression.

I understand it, really I do... and when I was much younger, especially in my early teens, I used to get a pretty serious case of clinical depression from November 1st to at least the 4th or so. The 6th was Dad's birthday so that was usually the depression breaker, and the rest of the holidays could begin from that day on.

But beginning in my mid-20's when I moved to the Ozarks and began my own haunting tradition(s), the post-Hallowe'en blues have never bothered me. Sure, some sighing melancholy of My! What a great night that was! always hits me while cleaning up, but it's more like the blessed next-morning memory of a particularly fine first date -- you're lovesick, but not at all depressed.

So... Post-Hallowe'en Blues?

Hardly.

For one thing, until December 21st...

... it's still Autumn.

For another, I live some degree of Hallowe'en every day.

Have I ever shown you my house? Yes of course, the Hallowe'en display... but the inside?





This last is a personal treasure. It is from my grandmother Lennon, she of the old house in Venice where Hallowe'en began for me 40 years ago; she who, in allowing her kids to make Hallowe'en at her house, gave me Hallowe'en; she gave this ceramic bat to me as a Christmas gift... it turned out to be the last Christmas gift I would receive from her.

Very fitting.

Oh there's more...






There are more little things and hidden nooks and all, but this should make the point:

In my world, this is how things look every day of the year.

I know you loyal Skull & Pumpkin patrons have similarly perpetual Autumn joy in your homes, your daily lives... you probably wouldn't be here if you didn't, to some degree, keep Hallowe'en nearby each day.

But don't mistake my meaning... keeping 'Hallowe'en nearby each day' doesn't mean thinking of jack o'lanterns on July 4th, or cutting out construction paper black cats on St. Patrick's Day; nor does it mean you have to decorate and collect like this All Hallow's Fool... heaven forbid!

It's every time you make a kid smile with a bit of 'spend some time with me' magic;

Every time you give a loved one some little special thing 'just because';

Every time you treat a stranger like a friend;

Every time you wear or display something unique and totally you and don't give a damn what anyone else thinks;

Every time you see or read or hear a chilling, thrilling story and feel like a kid giggling with a touch of fear and a sense of fun;

Every time we gather in places like the ol' S&P to talk about this sort of thing... we're keeping Hallowe'en nearby.

So there are no real post-Hallowe'en blues, at least not for me. And since I'm the proprietor of this establishment, I declare this pub a Post-Hallowe'en Blues Free Zone. In fact, it's one of the reasons I'm here -- to bring you some year-round Autumn Coolness, folks. And I have been gathering some very cool things to bring to the Skull & Pumpkin in these last months of 2009...


Toast, Cheers, and a hearty Dumdumshrekpop!