Minighosthunters.

Oh, S&Pers, there is something spooky going on at the ol' Skull & Pumpkin.

I mean, more spooky than  usual.

We have our share of phantoms, revenants, spooks, spectres and ghosts, and they do their own thing whether we're attending pub or not.

But with the addition of a certain Li'l Mini-Boo to our menagerie of minighosts yesterday, I began to notice the four of them moving, just the littlest bit, every time I turned away from them.

So I thought I should fire up the old Spooktrumatic ("See Across The Spooktrum!", man, remember those old commercials?) nightvision camera and set it behind a book on the minighost shelf, letting it run all night long.

I sat through a few hours of boredom, but then finally... this:

 

I knew it!

Of course, I don't want them to know we know, so please, don't tell them.

I mean, I don't want to embarrass them, or scare them.

Hell, they might be working up a fantastic little shelf show for all of us, and I do not want to mess up that deal.

Never mind us, Mini Ghosts, never mind us.



BLOODBREATH!

A spooky mailbox surprise!

Greetings S&P-brains!

A fantastic little bit of friendly gifting is a great way to resume posts for May, and today the Skull & Pumpkin was blessed with a piece of Hallowe'en coolness from loyal S&P'er and fine, fine artist/fellow blogger Shellhawk at Shellhawk's Nest!

Shell's a fantastic sculptor and makes amazing ceramic Hallowe'en goodies from her own twisted mind and capable hands (and clay and glaze and kilns and...). You've seen her around the S&P quite often, and we've mentioned her blog before.

At any rate this little bit of joy started last weekend when, as is my usual practice, I began reading her posts for the day, and happened to know the answer to a little quiz she popped on this post.

My prize? A FREAKING SHELLHAWK MINI-GHOST!

So the Lovely Vee and I go out of town for the week, and what comes to our door today upon our return?

A package containing this:

I've blurred the fun personal greeting she wrote just 'cause it's proper to do so, but look! Not one but two (2) awesome Hallowe'eny, trick-or-treaty pencils, the coolest Hallowe'en glitter/mylars you can find, a hand written note and the absolute coolest little handmade ghost I've ever had the pleasure to be spooked over!

Yes! Yes, yessity-yesowitz YES!

How cool is that li'l guy? Handmade by one of the best Hallowe'en artists around. All I did was answer a question and Shell sent all this out to me.

I had to introduce him to his new home and to place him immediately into the menagerie, but where...?

My first thought was to situate Li'l Mini-Boo (what, that's his name) among some other ceramic lovelies. And for a moment it looked alright, but it didn't feel quite right and then... oh! perfect!:

Of course! Among his fellow miniature ghosties, where he is still the mini-est Mini Ghost in the mini ghost collection! Even as the only one without hands, he's the hippest.

I'm not sure what they're singing, but they look to be winding up for the big finish. They just needed a fourth, and now they have him.

Ah... spooky joy, thy name is Li'l Mini-Boo.

Shellhawk, I thank you so much for making these fantastic little guys, and sending one to the Skull & Pumpkin!

He occupies a place of honor, where he can be enjoyed by all of us here at the S&P forever.

Yep. We're Hallowe'en folks.

Don't ever tell me Autumn People aren't the coolest bunch of friends in the world.

BLOODBREATH!

It's like a graveyard around here...

I know, and I'm sorry.

Things have been piling up in the real world, and I haven't had a lot of time to hang with all of you good friends and regular patrons of this spooky little establishment.

The dearth of posts will continue until the weekend, as family matters and work take control of my schedule for the next week.

I hope you will all continue to peruse the archives and relive some S&P memories.

I assure you things will soon get back to what passes for normal here in the October Country.

In the meantime, do turn out all lights when you leave for the night, except the little one in the upper hallway -- that's Tiny's nightlight!

Oh, new sign off for the month (thanks Mand!)-

BLOODBREATH!

A cute little diversion.

Hello S&P Brains!

Anyone up for a little pub gaming?

Oh, nothing major, of course. We're more about reading and discussing than playing video games.

But the ol' Skull & Pumpkin is trying out a few easy click games for all patrons to play whenever they wish, for free!

Just be sure to share.

First up for the Game Room, a little escape puzzle called, appropriately enough for our little homely house, Hallowe'en Escape!

Just use your mouse to find objects, use them together, and find a way out of the room. Simple, cute and fun, although there seems to be no sound at all -- it's the same at the host site, so I don't know what I can do about that.

I think it's cute, and if you like it, be sure to head over to the good folks at Free Halloween Games. 

I'll have more fun for the game room soon.

Enjoy!

DDScape!

Many Mothers.

 

 

Happy Mothers Day.

DDSP!

Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

y feliz cumpleanos, Jack Pierce!

Ciento veinte y dos!
¡Ay, ay, ay!

DDSP!

Morning glow.

"That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to understand. Of house-elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty, and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth he has never grasped."

Dumbledore could have been talking about any one of so many people in this world.

And I find it very satisfying that one of the most insidiously ignorant people who ever brought tragedy and fear into this world has finally been removed from it on today of all days.

We celebrate the end of that murdering coward's life, and can only hope that now, as a mewling, frightened, sick little blip facing his own judgment, he may finally begin to understand the power of that magic and love all of us have held dear since before we were born.

And maybe, just maybe, he'll learn while cowering at the foot of Truth, that nothing he did could ever have removed that magic from the world.

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it  --  always."  -- Mohandis K. Ghandi

Always.

Morning Glow is here at last.

Happy Wizarding Independence Day.

DDSP.