The Spirit of the (Halloween) Season

If you haven't noticed the rows and rows of Halloween costumes, candy and decorations in the stores, you haven't been out of the house in the past two weeks.  Next to Christmas, Halloween is the biggest holiday of the year in our family.  It isn't because of the five grandkids, but because of my own four daughters who still haven't given up planning and wearing costumes.  Me?  I live on a quiet street where no one trick or treats, so I content myself with watching favorite Halloween-y movies.  This year it will be Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic. 

Halloween--or All Hallow's Eve or All Saint's Eve--is celebrated in many parts of the world.  Its origin is linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), when ancient Celts believed the curtain between this world and the spirit world thinned to allow spirits to pass through.  Have you been thinking of having a seance?  Halloween would be the perfect time!  Even today the holiday is celebrated in much the same way by Pagans and others.  In case you're curious, wikipedia.org has lots of interesting information about the history and traditions of Halloween.

This year my youngest daughter and I went on a walking tour of one of the haunted areas of our city.  The fact that I grew up half a mile from the area made it even more interesting!  I blogged about our experience at my blog, Diary of a Mad Romance Writer.  We had a great time!

Also this month, the writing group I belong to is blogging about Halloween and other scary things.  We love having visitors, so stop by Bits & Bytes: Romance...the Writer's Way and join in the discussion!

And last but not least, the lastest book in my series set in Desperation, Oklahoma, is available this month.  Unfortunately The Reluctant Wrangler doesn't have a Halloween theme, but that's definitely an idea for the future!