We just returned home from Salem, and I...enjoyed it. I did. We did. But I have to say that I fell for the trap that movies can do to your perception of a place. Watching Hubie Halloween or Hocus Pocus a dozen times had prepared me for a Salem that only exists in imagination and fiction. Arriving in Salem I expected a town where every house was decorated for turbo-charged Halloween. I thought every home would look like Hubie's, but what we found was that Salem, at least in the neighborhoods, and while unofficially the town of Halloween in America, looked just like home. Every home was not decorated, nor were half the homes. It was more like 1 in 10. It was sad, at first, until I realized I am a nearly 50-year-old dude with real world problems like bills and stuff. This should be the least of my problems. But it was a bit disappointing, I've got to admit. I had expected a living, breathing Halloween wonderland! I expected it to look like Hubie Halloween...

Halloweentober is here, and to be honest it feels like it came out of nowhere! I woke up one morning, and it was October 1. That's usually how it works, right? So it's time to do the Spooky Season! I'm starting the spooky movies watchlist tonight with Rosemary's Baby. I own the Criterion Collection bluray and have for many years, but it's just never made it to my viewing list. Until now. I'm a John Cassavetes fan, and this is one of his I have yet to see. Decorations are going up as I type. I've pulled a slew of my original paper decorations from my days as a toddler and they're going up on walls presently. Vinyl copy of WNUF TV28 Frank Stewart Investigates is on the record player for some background ambiance, pumpkin and apple candles lit for that sweet autumn aroma. I Hope you all have a great October! Enjoy your Pumpkin Spice Lattes one and all!!