And just like that...

 ... Halloween was gone. 

Except, of course, for all of the haunters. Despite likely exhaustion and post-event adrenaline crash, you all deliver photos and videos of your accomplishments. The crown. The cherry on top. The justification. Well done friends!

I've a ton of catching up to do. The names I knew don't seem to haunt any more. The names I'm learning haunt like mad. I'm super impressed with so much of this new stuff. It seems like blogs or other written means of sharing is old news. I see a lot of action on YouTube. 

Bear with me. I took sixteen years off. I'm a little behind. Born during my absence were the pot-stirring creeper and the leering monument guy. Both have truly captivated me. They're so graceful and so creepy and just marvelous. If building is in the cards for me this year, I'll be tackling these props.

I hope you had a joyous holiday. 

Almost Halloween

 Here we are, a few short evenings from "The Big Night." 

Here I am, years later, engulfed in my annual ritual. I relive those glorious yard haunting days like AL Bundy holding a football. The haunt bug sneaks in every year around October - you know, when the stores are full of Santa stuff? Yeah, October. 

Thinking back to the hours spent researching, brainstorming, building... the intoxicating buzz while scrambling to assemble the display. That moment when you're "done enough" to stop for a moment and actually look at what you've created. 

THAT'S  the magic. Seeing the whole thing. Then you're rewarded by watching visitors see the whole thing. 

I still feel like a haunter. I'm also very aware of the fact that I'm not a practicing haunter or prop maker these days. I wonder if any others enjoy reviewing the old web offerings like I do?

The haunt bug is gnawing harder than normal this year. Must be pre-election anxiety. I wish everyone good health, good weather, and the best Halloween.

I miss you guys.