My Beautiful Girl

Another Halloween approaches.  We will be moving after this year's celebration and so, I was hoping that this would be the very best Haunt that I have done.  I've worked ever so hard over the past year and have 20 actors lined up--should be fabulous...but...tragedy has a way of rearing its ugly head when you least expect it.
Many of you know that I have a LOT of animals that I care for--amongst them are my two babies--my horses, Bonnie and Majik.  On Tuesday morning, my beautiful girl--Bonnie--passed away....totally unexpected and completely horrific.  She was just 16 years old.  Colic is the number one killer of horses--they have delicate digestive systems and miles of intestines...every now and then, their intestines become 'twisted' and everything shuts down and well, you can imagine the rest:  horrible pain and suffering. This happened to my darling girl.
I have given birth three times in my life--I have gone through the deaths of my father and my father-in-law and numerous animal members of my family but this, by far, has been the most intense experience of my life.
I went to the barn to fix their breakfast and clean their stalls, etc., etc., as I have done for the past 10 years and knew that something was not right as soon as I glimpsed her stall.  I called the vet asap but all three of them were already out on emergency calls.  Within two hours, my beautiful girl went from having, seemingly, a bit of a problem with her back left leg to death--watching her fail and being completely helpless has been, to date, the most excruciating experience of my life.  All I could do is hold her head in my arms and will her to live which, obviously, did not work.  Two bloody hours of hell and disbelief. 
Anyway, guys, I love Halloween but I'm not sure I can do it this year.  Part of Halloween is remembering the Dead; honoring them and celebrating the life beyond but I'm just not sure I can do it this year.  My heart is breaking.

Yummy Pumpkin Soap!

Haven't been keeping up with the ol' blog although I have been reading all the good stuff my Halloween blogger friends have been sharing.  Thanks for all the fun pics and links!  Although I've been silent, I'm not completely comatose--keeping busy with a bit of sculpting, jewelry making and soap making, along with the usual frenetic building and preparation for the best day of the year.  We're going to be moving after this Halloween so my walk-through Haunt for this year is gonna' be the best ever!  (keeping the theme secret for now...hehe) 

Anyway, thought I'd share some of the goodies I've been making lately--this "toasted pumpkin" soap is SO lovely, if I do say so myself.  You'll think you're in a cozy kitchen with scrumptious pumpkin cookies baking in the oven. A warm and magical blend of pumpkin puree, ginger, crushed nutmeg, a sprinkling of cinnamon and a dash of vanilla sugar and sparkling rum. Yum. You'll be tempted to take a bite but please don't!  Special introductory prices right now!  (One of Bean's (Pumpkinrot) wonderful punkins in the background!)

Have a look-see in my etsy shoppe for more soaps and goodies!

A Little Late But Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

So, last night we finally got around to watching Guillermo del Toro's remake and despite the poor reviews, I must say that I really enjoyed this movie.  The spooky setting was simply delicious--the house was completely and appropriately dark and gorgeous.    I loved the bits with the little girl flash-lighting her way down to the foot of the bed and although much was predictable in this film, it was, at the same time, satisfyingly old-fashioned and just what the doctor ordered.  I simply adored the little creatures--maybe it's because I'm a sculptor but these little dark and nasty faeries were a joy to behold.  The creators ensured that each of these little guys had a distinctive and original appearance which just added to their overall malevolent charm.  Yep, I'll watch it again.

So, I have resigned from my volunteer position as moderator of the sculpture gallery on Deviant Art.  I'm feeling a bit sad and more than a little at loss after doing this for so long but I think it was for the best.  One can get burned out doing these kinds of things and then one knows that it is time for another to step in to fill the void.  I am hopeful that someone will come forward in order to keep the spirit of sculpture alive at that very fun art site.  As I said in my "Adieu" note, "Sculptors are amazing people.  You are devotees of one of the most ancient art forms in the history of humankind but your imaginations and talents know no bounds and you each have made this art form uniquely your own.  I admire all of you for your allegiance to sculpture;  for keeping it alive in the midst of a heavily digital and computerized art environment."  And this is also true for all of us in the Halloween Home Haunt and Prop Industry (and I capitalize these words because I think they should be.)  We create magic where there was none before--on Halloween Eve, a simple front yard is transformed into a haunting world that speaks of mystery and imagination extraordinaire.  No computers required, no Hollywood special effects...just some people that love a little bit of darkness and are willing to work in their garages and basements at all hours to bring forth and share,  on one night of the year, a bit of their own souls and creativity for simple fun.  That's it.  Kudos to all of you, my Halloween friends!

I'm Still Here

Sorry for the lack of blogging--haven't had a great deal to say although I have been commenting on all my blog land friends' posts so I think I'm up to snuff with what everybody's been up to. Very busy on Deviant Art--TOO busy. Not much time for my own art since basically my little volunteer job on dA consists of looking at everybody else's art! (sigh) However, I do have my plans finalized for this year's Halloween Haunt! (yes, I know I said I probably wouldn't do this again in light of the dismal experience of last year but...) So, am beginning to make my props, etc. This is the first one--a little specimen for Dr. Jekyll's laboratory. (just had to go with the twin theme--surely Dr. Jekyll would have focused on twins and the concept of good vs. evil.)

The Haunt Brief - Chris Baker & Resurrecting Hauntcast

Hey guys, check out this Haunt Brief interview with Chris Baker and discover even more reasons why you NEED to become a subscriber to and a supporter of the Hauntcast Resurrection. So, it's $100 bucks a year which sounds like a lot (and it is for many of us) but, consider what you will receive for that money above and beyond the pleasure of listening to our favorite haunt show: major discounts on props, raffles with amazing prizes (with all of us having a good chance to win throughout the year) which will immediately defray the cost of that subscription and let's face it--just about all of us will purchase at least one prop per haunt season. Also, paypal now provides a 'pay later' no interest option on that $100. If you can pay @$16 and a bit more a month for six months--you can be a proud Hauntcast subscriber and qualify for all the fantastic discounts and raffle prizes straightaway. So, what's your excuse folks?

I get nothing out of this plug for Hauntcast--I'm just one of the minions who like to listen to this show. If there aren't 250 of us who are willing to step up to the plate (and it's really a no-brainer when you consider all the discounts,etc.), then I don't get to listen to my favorite inspirational show when I'm out in the garage building props, etc. That's it, in a nutshell. Have a listen.

Hauntcast Resurrection

Hey, all, just want to alert you to some excellent news you may or may not have already heard about but there is a chance we can get our favorite radio show, the ever-entertaining and fun "Hauntcast" back on the air! Do your bit and support this worthwhile effort if you can. I don't know about you guys, but when February rolls around, thoughts of Halloween start invading my head and it's just not going to seem the same without "Hauntcast" playing in the background. If you subscribe, you're gonna' get a bunch of to-die-for discounts and bonus offers from many of our favorite Halloween vendors and artists. Check it out!