Halloween is nearing and I am excited just like my grandgirls are. Many images of Halloween over the years parade before me. It's funny that I don't remember halloweening as a child but have some vivid memories of Halloween festivities during my adult life. I offer a series of digital image poems created with different tools, Buncee, FotoJet, Waterlogue, for different days in the Inktober/Poemtober challenge and the Poetry Sisters' October invitation to write.
As a reading specialist in an elmentary building, during the month of October I turned my classroom into a Harvest House, a magical setting of autumn splendor until the week before Halloween when the spooky sights, sounds, and happenings began. Music and poetry were a regular part of all the Halloween festivities and Jack Prelutsky's book, It's Halloween, became a featured read aloud. Listen to the video of Prelutsky reading his poems from his book. Click here.
Switch back to Halloween during my children's childhood. Magical parties with beautifully crafted costumed characters graced the miniature house in our back yard after trick or treating fun.
Now, I see Halloween through the eyes of my grandgirls. It's time for new memories to be made and recorded.
Day 29 #PoetryPals Wordplay Challenge + #Inktober Prompt Word: Patch = Wordplay Fun The Poetry Sisters' October Challenge: Create a wordplay poem invented by poet Nikki Grimes)
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Tuesday's Slice of Life post, Connecting with October, shares poems about an autumn mini-trip to a farmer's market with the grandgirls.
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It is time to visit Linda Baie's blog, TeacherDance one that invites us to the Halloween parade.
Linda is a generous friend who for her birthday offered a book of poetry to Poetry Friday friends. Linda sent me a package of two books that I will share at a future time. Thank you, Linda, for your friendship, kindness, and amusing poem. It looks like Colorado where she lives have already experienced Mother Nature's winter-in-fall weather.
This post is such a homey, comfy place to sit and read awhile. I love it. Hooray for grandgirls to celebrate with this year. You make grandmothering look so fun! I love "owls beware" and the caution about getting scratched. I'll bet your students all remember the magic you created for them. I know I would!
ReplyDeleteHalloween is one of my best holiday experiences both in school and at home but nothing beats being with the grandgirls for their neighborhood parade tonight. I was excited to be one of the walkers alongside the girls. What a festive night.
DeleteOh, pumpkin patches! I really miss them - even though I don't really want a pumpkin and rarely have time to do a porch display, I LOVED wandering the patches, in the clear autumn light, just seeking the perfect plump specimen... ::sigh:: Happy days, those. This was lovely - a cup of cider on a cold day.
ReplyDeleteI didn't make it to a 'real' pumpkin patch, Carol, and love your poem that catches its wonder, remember so well going with my own children to choose just the most perfect ones for later carving. How wonderful that you wrote the wordplay poem for "patch" - just right for NOW! I love every memory you shared too. My school did a huge amount of celebrating the week of Halloween, delightful costumes & a final party & parade. That I miss! Happy Halloween! (I was happy to send some more poetry your way, very fun to do!)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you that the pumpkin with snow is from another year. We are still pretty warm, hoping for some cooler days soon, & maybe moisture! We need it badly!
DeleteYou are such a wonderful teacher! I would love to visit your Harvest House. Your poems are terrific! I especially love "sisters share costumed moments."
ReplyDeleteLove that you featured Jack Prelutsky! I own the book you featured and read it every year at this time - with students - if I have them. Your students are lucky to have such an enthusiastic teacher! We did not decorate for halloween this year as we were on our National Park trip in the Southwest. I do love seeing the seasons change, costumes and carving of pumpkins when we are home. Sipping cider, hot or cold, is also a favorite activity. Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm with us, Carol!
ReplyDeleteCarol, what a treasure you have shared here. Autumn and Halloween brilliance. There are so many sweet moments. The warning of the scarecrow a "I scratch" is scary imagining sitting by him for a photo. The photo of your grandgirls with "no tricks just sweet treats" is precious. Your word play with patch is fun and encompasses so many sensory details of the pumpkin patch. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you joined the Poetry Sisters' challenge! Your PATCH poem is all kinds of perfect, beginning with the shape of the word and ending with "nature's memory maker."
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Halloween with your kids! I hadn't ever seen, or gone, to a large pumpkin patch till I had my own kids and there is something so awesome about hundreds of pumpkins on the ground among all the shriveling vines. It's very Halloween. Definitely a memory makers.
ReplyDeleteWow, autumn is your time! This is a very productive post, Carol. Strangely (since I don't like horror stuff) my favorite is your "bit-worn fancy suit" poem. Enjoy those adorable grandgirls.
ReplyDeleteI love the grandgirls with their sweet treats.
ReplyDeleteEach poem invited me in. Writing for grand girls is so fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, that photo of your grandgirls in costume and your lovely poem...sigh. And your Patch poem is phenomenal. I love the way you explored that word and brought it to life, Carol! I hope to submit something for your gallery!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I would love something of yours for the gallery. (PS: So glad I remembered to drop in for your Book Launch. Can you let me know how to get your new book?)
DeleteI love the costumed photos of your granddaughters-- how wonderful! And I appreciate that you included the Prelutsky/Hafner book... it was a treasured book in our household when my daughter was growing up. We still have our tattered copy!
ReplyDeleteCarol, I hadn't really thought about Halloween as a child in some time. Interestingly I do remember so many Halloweens. From the lady who alway gave us a comic book, to the one that gave us a nickel, to the plastic masks we wore (yuck!), and the transition from collecting candy to distributing it. Hmmm. I should grab my notebook. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your poem, Carol. For me, it was the last line: "owls beware." If something is happening that will scare the owls, I am OUT. Ha! I think of owls as the owner of the night so I know it's a creepy night when the owls require warning.