Halloween Stuff I Love, Sugar-Free Version

I'm all about Halloween. Not obsessively so - I don't decorate the entire house, just plop out the same decorations (wreath kid made with spiders and bats, glowing eyeball lights in the bushes - really) and prod the husband to pick up a huge bag of candy at Costco.

But I do love the month of October. For one thing, the weather is so beautiful. Except for today, of course; the sky is grouchily covered with clouds as if to say, "You writin' about ME?"

And I love the food associated with Halloween and October. Candy of course, but ever since I - I can hardly bear to say it - gave up sugar - that is out for me. No candy corn, no fun size, no pumpkin pie. I can still have pumpkin soup and pumpkin raviolis though, right? Right.

Here is a list of other Halloween and October stuff I love:

1. American Horror Story, season 2 - Season 1 was good, although I was disappointed in the Rubber Man story arc. But Season 2 looks like it could be seriously scary and horrifying, with an asylum, aliens, and nuns. SWEET! I'm not a horror movie fan, by which I mean: I scream like a tween at a 1 Direction concert and head my head and stuff. Still, I love horror books, and this series serves up enough thrills for my wuss self. Plus, I tape it and watch it at noon. Feel free to mock.

2. Retro H'ween stuff:

3. Buying costumes for my kid - Since the catalogues start coming out in August now, that's when Kid and I start shopping around. This year she is a Bride of Frankenstein, a cute, little girl version. I wanted the Eskimo Girl costume, (for her I mean) but maybe next year.

4. Seasonal Microbrews - I don't drink them myself but I vicariously enjoy it when the Husband pops open a spiced ale or an Oktoberfest. It just sounds so autumn-ish.

5. Cool nights - Apparently, along with the switch that turned off my metabolism, my body got kicked into super heat mode. Now I can sleep at night, since the room is chilly and I can snuggle under flannel sheets.

6. Horror books - Yep, I'm a fan. Here are a few I want to read:


7. Writing horror - I have an idea on the back burner that has been itching at me for a while now. I've got a really scary villain and a concept. As soon as I'm done with The South Sea Bubble, I'll let my first draft marinate and write my horror story. YESSSSSS

8. Bonfires.

9. Homemade soup. Chicken noodle, vegetable, carrot, cheese-ale - all good.

10. Beer bread.

11. Honey-Crisp Apples.

See? you can have fun without sugar at Halloween, and even during the entire month of October.

The Art of Meditation

After I read Eat, Pray, Love I thought, Right. It's time for  me to get down to business with this meditation stuff. I actually attempted to sit in a chair and turn my mind off. Here's what happens when I attempt it:

"Oh, ok, must  think of nothing now. Nothing, nothing, nothing. Of course, thinking the word  Nothing is not Nothing. Clear mind. OK. Wonder what I'll serve for dinner? Oh, shoot; i forgot  to wash my daughter's uniform!"

*Pause as I race to do laundry*

Half an hour later, back in chair. "NOW I'm ready. Bring on the thoughtlessness! Shutting down brain. That episode of American Horror Story was good, wasn't it? The ending was a bit disappointing, but I'll be interested to see how they pick up next season..."

Or, if I do succeed in complete brain shut off, here's  what happens: Zzzzzzzzz.

There are people out there who can meditate. I've seen them do it. When I was in the Unitarian Fellowship, one teacher hooked us up to a bio feedback machine as we attempted meditation. My friend got hooked up, and the machine gave a few beeps, and then: silence. Blam. Meditative state achieved.

When they slapped those wires on me, the machine was all, "Beep! Beepity Beep BEEEEEEP!!!!" It sounded like rush hour on the CBE.

I've found that I achieve a out of body state, though, when I write. It doesn't happen every day. Sometimes  I have to force the words to come out. But there are times when the scene is going really well, and I just, well, disappear. I'm in the world with my characters. I dimly hear the clicks of my fingers on my keys, as I type as quickly as I can to get it all down.

That's my meditative state.

I read a few days ago that writers, despite low incomes, are some of the happiest people around. I don't know if that is true. I do know that when I'm in that flow, it's a deeply satisfying experience. And when I'm not writing, I really look forward to getting back to my alternate world.

American Horror Story

Because nothing says Christmas like a good horror show, I'm confessing my new addiction here. I have been watching American Horror Story since the pilot, and I am thoroughly hooked.

Here's why:

1. The writers. Always the most important part of any show. You can have great actors, but if the writing component isn't there, the series falls apart (alas, I'm talking to you, Pan Am. You SHOULD have been good, with Christina Ricci and 60's air stewardesses all, but - BOOORRRING!!!)

On AHS, the writers take chances. They keep the action and the characters growing, at a pace that make me wonder how long they can keep it up. The scary stuff keeps appearing, from Rubberman to the Infantata, to the past inhabitants of the creepy, gorgeous LA mansion.

Vivien

2. The characters. Terrific actors are very important. Connie Britton's take on Vivien Harmon is my favorite of the bunch, although she has some stiff  competition with Tate , played by Evan Peters, and Taissa Farmiga as Violet, Vivien's daughter. In fact, Farmiga's depiction of a troubled, intelligent high school girl is one of the most amazing performances I've seen in a while.

Violet

3. The opening music. And sequence. Watch it and you just know that the show is going to be seriously creepy. Disturbingly so, in fact.

4. No holds barred. Those amazing writers happily take on gay relationships, the Black Dahlia, current anti-government sentiment, and even the current state of the housing market, and do so in a way that is completely fascinating. And creepy and disturbing.

5. Dylan McDermott's butt - Not a huge Dylan fan, but he is showing some serious acting chops here, plus he has no problem showing his butt off. A lot.

No, I'm not going to put up an image of that here. It's Fresh Pot of Tea, after all, not Large Bottle of Jack.

If you enjoy ghosts and horror fiction, then check the show out. Be prepared for adult content and some jolts to the system. (Did I mention creepy and disturbing?) But I haven't seen scary TV like this in a while.

Just a Quick Cool Thing

My friend, Anabell Martin, did the cool animated cover for me up there ^^^^. I'm pretty darn excited about it.

Anabell is also the author of Harbinger in the Mist, a ghost story set in a huge Southern house. It's like American Horror Story, with Ouija and a paranormal romance as well.

Personally, I have always loved a great ghost story, and hers made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Plus, she's all creative and artistic and stuff!