Halloween in the Neighborhood

There is a family two streets over from us whose house we each pass at least twice a day, weekdays and Sundays. These are folks who enjoy decorating -- Christmas and Halloween are times when they go way over the top.







And that's OK. I met the dad and mom this afternoon, plus two teenagers, when I stopped to take pics of this amazing yard. They came out of the house - -they've begun doing this due to some bad publicity about their decorations. (neighbors' comments)

What is so objectionable?



"The noose" (which is what this particular instrument of execution is called in all media now.) I'll admit that when they first put it up, it creeped me out -- not because of any racial overtones (a la Jena, LA), but because, as a recent convert to the anti-death penalty side, it just seemed barbaric.

However, as a Halloween decoration, creepy or not, it fits with the boiling pot, medieval rack, tombstones, automated skeleton arising from his coffin, etc. It's creepy, scary and would be a cool place to trick-or-treat or for teens to host a Halloween party.



The family spends 3 months getting ready for Halloween, and then spends generously on candy for those kids brave enough to walk up to their door. The kids were really excited showing me some of what they had built -- the fence took ages last year.



The neighbors, in this very racially mixed area, seem fine with the decorations. There have been no vandalism nor protests. Yes, it's creepy, but that's OK for Halloween. Izzy and I used to do "scary Halloween" back when we had a yard we could suddenly darken. Lots of blood, a mock chain saw, scary music, witches billowing in trees, etc. Lots and lots of shrieks when Izzy answered the door in a hood, holding a candle under his face -- and we amply rewarded the kids brave enough to get to the door.

I hope they had a great turn-out. We stayed here and handed out candy until 10:15 or so, when the last family came by. Steady business, but enough leftover candy to keep Izzy's students in treats for a couple of weeks, at least.


Our front yard - view from the street


Toddler's eye view of our porch - we had a few tears, as well

More from our house and the neighbors' house in the Flickr set.