One More Halloween!

I didn't know if Mom would be up to wearing a costume
today -- after all, she is almost 104 and tires easily. However, when the subject of Halloween came up a couple of weeks ago, she asked about how she was going to dress. As I've mentioned in a past post, Mom was always one to dress up if there was an occasion.

Anyhow, this year she costumed light -- in a splendid cow-bedecked sweat I found over at the Noah thrift for all of one buck! Complete with a working cowbell in front and a braided tail at the rear. As a finishing touch, big homemade spotted ears to take the place of her usual earrings.

The occasion: another Trick or Treat event at Las Fuentes for kids from the nearby Y after school program. Mom and her fellow residents really enjoy seeing the youngsters in their wildly varied costumes.

Later: there was a string of Halloween pumpkin lights, among other decorations at Casa Sanchez, where I had dinner this evening...

...a dazzle of lights at That House on Park which goes all out to decorate for as many holidays as possible...

...and big blow-up characters on the balcony of one of the nearby faux Victorians. And, yes, that looks like Itt up in the tower, more than a little deflated.

Of course, there are, these days, a handful of folk who take the night of Oct. 31 more seriously, as Samhain, the pagan harvest festival and official beginning of winter. I saw these decals on a recent walk around town (all on one car, BTW.) Ironically, a couple of local churches that view the Halloween celebration as a pagan holiday scheduled harvest festivals in its place.

However, for the rest of us, the night is a time to thumb one's nose at all manner of scary critters and creatures. It's only fitting that in Prescott, a Halloween witch wears blue jeans under her black cape. Perhaps she's thinking rodeo...

All Hallows' Link: A New England neighborhood explorer and photographer has discovered an interesting trick of the light that she calls Alien Eyes. I'd be curious whether anyone has seen these x-marks-the-spot reflections in our town.

An Album from the Past

Gussi is a 99-year-old lady who lives in the same assisted living facility as my mother. Born in Germany, she lived 30 years in Ash Fork; today her hands are crippled with arthritis. Last week, Gussi showed me some of the pressed flower arrangements she created during the 90s. I only wish that my photographs could do her lovely little pictures justice.

Many of her flowers were actually pieced together from individual petals.

What look like leaves are, in most cases, seed stalks from different grasses.

Many were made into cards for friends and family.

When I am privileged to catch a small glimpse of the accomplishments of Mom's fellow residents, I am awed and I am saddened. These are people who have led active lives, who have worked, created, lived and loved. Yet their time is short and today few beyond their families are aware of how much they have achieved.

Hello! to vistors from the Pressed Flower Guild over at Yahoo. And welcome. I am glad you had this chance to enjoy Gussi's handwork. Do come by again!

Wee Horses, Antique Cars & Elders

It's been Natl. Assisted Living Week over at Las Fuentes, where Mom lives. Different special activities for residents and family every day. Yesterday was a luau lunch; above are the costume leftovers.

A three-ring circus was scheduled as the grand finale for today. Two of the rings materialized, but a monkey and his person were among the missing on Scott Drive! Nonetheless, it was a grand morning.

First to arrive were two miniature horses from Mini Mystique. These gentle creatures are so well trained that they are even allowed to walk between beds in a nursing home to cheer up patients. Just incidentally their trainers hope to have a drill team of minis in next January's Rose Bowl parade.

Weighing in at about 150 pounds, a mini can pull two or three people in this little cart. The horses are too small for riding.

Here my aged Mom (104 in December!) pets one of the horses; dog, cat and other animal visits are very popular at local hospitals as well as facilities for seniors.

The splendid old wrecker was one of the antique and classic cars that paraded for the gathering. Here, the owner and his dog meet the dark stallion. Gives you a good idea of the comparative sizes. (Note: I held off on the car pictures because I expect to photograph more cars tomorrow down in Skull Valley at the ice cream & pie social.)

Carol and Cindy, the ladies who plan and produce the activities over at Las Fuentes, check out some of the photos taken this morning.

By noon, the circus was over, but balloons in the dining room were a reminder of the morning's excitement.

Easter Parade, 2007-Style

Easter is upon us. I've seen four different Easter-themed flags around town today. For example, the jolly rabbit at JBs, above.

There was also this curious sign at the cash register as I paid for my breakfast. I wonder 1) just how big is the world's largest Easter bunny and 2) who certifies that this particular animal fits the billing. Spoil sport, that's what I am.

This afternoon, when I called on Mom over at Las Fuentes, she was with a group who had been coloring Easter eggs.

Here's some of their product!

And look at the dye all over Mom's hands.

The house of holiday lights has been decorated for Easter for a good week or so.

This was part of the promotional decor at the CVS pharmacy.

Plenty of seasonal merchandise, including chocolate bunnies. After all these years, I suppose they comprise a tradition of sorts. As a kid, I preferred my chocolate rabbits to be hollow. Don't know why, since a filled one adds up to a lot more candy. Maybe it's because the nougat filling diluted the sheer chocolate-ness of the hollow form.

They also had bean bag peeps...

...and, wonder of wonders, one item that rather diffidently brought up the subject of why Easter. It set me to thinking about this totally Disneyfied holiday. Chicks. Colored eggs. Bunnies. Is that all there is? I'm not a religious person, but Easter, after all, has major historic significance. It is the high point of the year for most Christian congregations. A pity to see it so trivialized.

Seasonal note: There have been a surprising number of referrals from The Google to my post about the Shrine of St. Joseph. The shrine must receive many visitors at this time of year.

Christmas at the Door: A Card for my Readers

It's all things Christmas over at my mother's building; while some residents with balconies have hung small light displays, most evidence of the season is inside. Almost every door, for example, has some holiday decoration, which makes the hallways quite cheerful.

Mom, always a very crafty lady, made this angel and the Santa at the front of her cart. They must be at least 40 years old!

What more can I say? Stroll the hallways, enjoy the seasonal touches -- and HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'll possibly be Walking Prescott Monday night after the festivities and after I return from the high country. See you then.