As black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween!
-Author Unknown
Sally: What did one ghost say to the other ghost?
Allie: Do you believe in people?
The Halloween House
I’m told there’s a Green Thing in there.
And the sign on the gate says, “Beware!”
But of course it’s not true.
That’s why I’m sending you
To sneak in and find out - but take care!
by John Ciardi (John Anthony Ciardi (1916 - 1986))
Priscilla: Why was the mummy so tense?
Sheila: He was all wound up!
Halloween has been linked by some folklorist to the festival and feast of Pomona of Ancient Rome. Ancient Romans believed that Pomona was a goddess who watched over and cared for fruiting trees, orchards, and gardens. Pomona was not associated with the harvesting of fruits, but rather with the flourishing of the trees. She was skilled in pruning and grafting, a labor of love in which she became completely absorbed. Pomona’s name was derived from the Latin word ‘pomum’ meaning ‘fruit.’ She is often depicted holding a platter of fruit or a cornucopia (horn of plenty). Her festival and feast day is observed on 13 August of each year. Many Halloween customs and games that feature apples, such as bobbing for apples, and nuts, date from Ancient Roman times. For this reason, Halloween has at times been called San-Apple Night and Nutcrack Night, and in times past, trick-or-treaters received mostly fruits and nuts rather than candy. Halloween is also linked by some folklorist to the Ancient Roman festival of the deceased called Parentalia.
Halloween Greetings!
A hobgoblin remarked to his mate,
“Hurry up there, old sport, we’ll be late;
And I fear from the looks
Of our neighbors, the Spooks
They will get first to Earth, sure as fate.”
by Author Unknown
May luck be yours on Halloween!
-Author Unknown
Sally: What did one ghost say to the other ghost?
Allie: Do you believe in people?
The Halloween House
I’m told there’s a Green Thing in there.
And the sign on the gate says, “Beware!”
But of course it’s not true.
That’s why I’m sending you
To sneak in and find out - but take care!
by John Ciardi (John Anthony Ciardi (1916 - 1986))
Priscilla: Why was the mummy so tense?
Sheila: He was all wound up!
Halloween has been linked by some folklorist to the festival and feast of Pomona of Ancient Rome. Ancient Romans believed that Pomona was a goddess who watched over and cared for fruiting trees, orchards, and gardens. Pomona was not associated with the harvesting of fruits, but rather with the flourishing of the trees. She was skilled in pruning and grafting, a labor of love in which she became completely absorbed. Pomona’s name was derived from the Latin word ‘pomum’ meaning ‘fruit.’ She is often depicted holding a platter of fruit or a cornucopia (horn of plenty). Her festival and feast day is observed on 13 August of each year. Many Halloween customs and games that feature apples, such as bobbing for apples, and nuts, date from Ancient Roman times. For this reason, Halloween has at times been called San-Apple Night and Nutcrack Night, and in times past, trick-or-treaters received mostly fruits and nuts rather than candy. Halloween is also linked by some folklorist to the Ancient Roman festival of the deceased called Parentalia.
Halloween Greetings!
A hobgoblin remarked to his mate,
“Hurry up there, old sport, we’ll be late;
And I fear from the looks
Of our neighbors, the Spooks
They will get first to Earth, sure as fate.”
by Author Unknown
How to Make a Ghost Costume for Halloween. Take an old white sheet and cut a hole in its center slightly smaller than your head because somehow, the hole will always end up being larger than what it seemed when you cut it. Alternatively, cut two holes for your eyes to see through and if you like, one hole for your mouth, in the sheet. The holes do not have to be perfect. Slip the sheet over your head and examine the length, which should fall no lower than your knees or perhaps your ankles. Cut away all material that falls below either your knees or your ankles to prevent yourself from tripping on it. If needed, tie a length of white sheet or rope about your waist to help keep the sheet under control. To complete the look, carry a pillowcase to hold all the goodies you collect. Practice making ghostly noises as you walk from house to house.
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Phillip.
Phillip, who?
Phillip my bag with candy, please!
Tip: Put your name on your goodies bag or bucket so it will not get mixed up with the other trick-or-treaters’ bags or buckets of treats.
Walter: Is it okay to eat Halloween candy with your fingers?
Wallace: No, eat your candy first, and then eat your fingers later.
Lily: What do you get if you cross a witch with an ice sickle?
Lilith: A cold spell.
Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, “Tonight is Halloween!”
-Dexter Kozen
Stella: What is a ghost’s favorite dessert?
Della: Boo-berry pie!
James: Where does a baby ghost sit at a restaurant?
Hermes: In a boo-ster chair!
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a Hell-broth, boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
-William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616): “Macbeth” (1606), Act 4, scene 1
Gerome: Who does a goblin go out with on Halloween?
Roger: His ghoul friend!
Halloween is commonly associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced as ‘sow-an’ or ‘sow-in,’ and derived from the Gaelic word ‘samuin’ meaning ‘Summer’s end.’ In Medieval Ireland and Scotland, the Samhain festival was held at sunset on 31 October and lasted through daylight on 1 November. It marked the ending of the Autumn/Fall harvest season, and the beginning of the dark season of Winter, with its shorter days and longer nights. It was a time for stocktaking and preparation for the cold barren months ahead. There was also a sense that this was the time of year when the physical and supernatural worlds were closest and strange things could happen. People thought that evil spirits could enter our world and steal the souls of good people, so they dressed in costumes to disguise themselves as ghouls and other spooks in hope of escaping being noticed by the evil spirits thought to be wandering the streets during Samhain. People also put out treats of food and drinks in front of their homes, and went from house to house enjoying the treats. Some believe that from this custom arose the Christian custom called ‘souling’ which itself became what we know as ‘trick-or-treating.’ Fires were lit to ward off the spooks and to ensure the Sun would return after the long, hard Winter. Often Druid priests would throw the bones of cattle into the flames, making them ‘bone fires’ from which came the word ‘bonfire.’
Goblin: How you eat the candy bars you got for Halloween.
Pat: What amusement park ride do spooks like best?
Rick: The roller ghoster!
Halloween has links to Christian holy days, or holidays. The word ‘Halloween’ is short for ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ which takes place on 31 October of each year and is a time for celebrating the Christian conquest of evil. All Hallows’ Eve is the evening before All Hallows’ Day (also called Hallowmas or All Saints’ Day), which takes place on 1 November of each year to celebrate saints. All Souls’ Day, which takes place on 2 November of each year, is a time for praying for the departed on their journey to Heaven. In an effort to convert pagans to Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church assimilated the traditions of the pagan holidays that fell on or around 31 October into the Christian holy days called All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween), All Hallows’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, was first declared a feast day by Pope Gregory IV in the year 835, and later instituted as a Christian celebration in connection with All Hallows’ Day (1 November) by Pope Boniface IV. By the end of the 12th century, these holy days had become days of holy obligation across Europe, and involved such traditions as ringing bells for the souls in purgatory and ‘souling,’ the custom of baking bread or ‘soul cakes’ for ‘all crysten (christened) souls.’ Souling is a predecessor to modern-day trick-or-treating; on All Hallows’ Day, the poor would go door-to-door offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for soul cakes.
Hannah: What is evil on the inside and green on the outside?
Shanna: A witch dressed as a pickle!
Trick or treat -
Smell my feet,
Or give me something
Good to eat!
-Author Unknown
Penny: What do you call a goblin that gets too close to a campfire?
Lenny: A toasty ghosty!
Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Phillip.
Phillip, who?
Phillip my bag with candy, please!
Tip: Put your name on your goodies bag or bucket so it will not get mixed up with the other trick-or-treaters’ bags or buckets of treats.
Walter: Is it okay to eat Halloween candy with your fingers?
Wallace: No, eat your candy first, and then eat your fingers later.
Lily: What do you get if you cross a witch with an ice sickle?
Lilith: A cold spell.
Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, “Tonight is Halloween!”
-Dexter Kozen
Stella: What is a ghost’s favorite dessert?
Della: Boo-berry pie!
James: Where does a baby ghost sit at a restaurant?
Hermes: In a boo-ster chair!
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a Hell-broth, boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
-William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616): “Macbeth” (1606), Act 4, scene 1
Gerome: Who does a goblin go out with on Halloween?
Roger: His ghoul friend!
Halloween is commonly associated with the Celtic festival of Samhain, pronounced as ‘sow-an’ or ‘sow-in,’ and derived from the Gaelic word ‘samuin’ meaning ‘Summer’s end.’ In Medieval Ireland and Scotland, the Samhain festival was held at sunset on 31 October and lasted through daylight on 1 November. It marked the ending of the Autumn/Fall harvest season, and the beginning of the dark season of Winter, with its shorter days and longer nights. It was a time for stocktaking and preparation for the cold barren months ahead. There was also a sense that this was the time of year when the physical and supernatural worlds were closest and strange things could happen. People thought that evil spirits could enter our world and steal the souls of good people, so they dressed in costumes to disguise themselves as ghouls and other spooks in hope of escaping being noticed by the evil spirits thought to be wandering the streets during Samhain. People also put out treats of food and drinks in front of their homes, and went from house to house enjoying the treats. Some believe that from this custom arose the Christian custom called ‘souling’ which itself became what we know as ‘trick-or-treating.’ Fires were lit to ward off the spooks and to ensure the Sun would return after the long, hard Winter. Often Druid priests would throw the bones of cattle into the flames, making them ‘bone fires’ from which came the word ‘bonfire.’
Goblin: How you eat the candy bars you got for Halloween.
Pat: What amusement park ride do spooks like best?
Rick: The roller ghoster!
Halloween has links to Christian holy days, or holidays. The word ‘Halloween’ is short for ‘All Hallows’ Eve,’ which takes place on 31 October of each year and is a time for celebrating the Christian conquest of evil. All Hallows’ Eve is the evening before All Hallows’ Day (also called Hallowmas or All Saints’ Day), which takes place on 1 November of each year to celebrate saints. All Souls’ Day, which takes place on 2 November of each year, is a time for praying for the departed on their journey to Heaven. In an effort to convert pagans to Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church assimilated the traditions of the pagan holidays that fell on or around 31 October into the Christian holy days called All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween), All Hallows’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, was first declared a feast day by Pope Gregory IV in the year 835, and later instituted as a Christian celebration in connection with All Hallows’ Day (1 November) by Pope Boniface IV. By the end of the 12th century, these holy days had become days of holy obligation across Europe, and involved such traditions as ringing bells for the souls in purgatory and ‘souling,’ the custom of baking bread or ‘soul cakes’ for ‘all crysten (christened) souls.’ Souling is a predecessor to modern-day trick-or-treating; on All Hallows’ Day, the poor would go door-to-door offering prayers for the deceased in exchange for soul cakes.
Hannah: What is evil on the inside and green on the outside?
Shanna: A witch dressed as a pickle!
Trick or treat -
Smell my feet,
Or give me something
Good to eat!
-Author Unknown
Penny: What do you call a goblin that gets too close to a campfire?
Lenny: A toasty ghosty!
What is the origin of the Jack O’Lantern? The first Jack O’Lanterns were carved in Ireland from turnips, to frighten away evil spirits. When Irish folks came to America in large numbers in the 1840’s, they found that pumpkins could be likewise carved and a candle placed inside them to make lanterns to lighten up the darkness, and so the new ‘American’ tradition came to be. And then there is what follows here . . .
According to folklore, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy farmer named Jack. One day, Jack tricked the Devil into climbing up into an apple tree to get a juicy apple, and then Jack quickly cut the sign of the cross into the tree trunk, preventing the Devil from coming back down. Jack next made the Devil promise he would not go after his soul in any way. The Devil agreed; however, all of this did not prevent Jack from later passing away naturally when his time came. After Jack had passed on, he arrived at the gates of Heaven, where he was turned away because he was a mean, stingy man. Desperate for a resting place, he went to the Devil. The Devil, in keeping to his earlier promise, turned Jack away from entering Hell. “But where can I go?” Jack pleaded with him. “Back to where you came from!” replied the Devil. As the night was dark, and as the way was long, the Devil tossed to Jack a lighted coal from the fires of Hell. Jack, who was chewing on a turnip at the time, placed the coal inside it, and used this as a lantern to light his way in the dark. Ever since that day, Jack has been known as Jack of the Lantern, which became shortened over time to Jack O’Lantern. He still continues to travel the world over, waving his glowing ember in a vegetable in every direction, in search of a final resting place. And, much like the mysterious Will O’ the Wisp, he leads lost people who are out in the darkness away from the right path.
Ira: What do you get when you divide the circumference of a Jack O’Lantern by its diameter?
Isa: Pumpkin Pi!
Corey: Why was the witch kicked out of school?
Cora: Because she flunked spelling.
Boo!
B is for broomsticks for witches to fly,
O is outrageous spooks that go by,
O is for orange pumpkins so bright,
! These are the signs of a Halloween night !
by Author Unknown
Emma: How does a witch tell time?
Lee: By looking at her witch-watch.
When witches go riding
And black cats are seen,
The Moon laughs and whispers,
’Tis near Halloween!
-Author Unknown
Edna: How do you mend a broken Jack O’Lantern?
Ned: With a pumpkin patch!
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We’re out trick-or-treating
How about you?
-Author Unknown
Todd: How do you make a witch itch?
Ted: Just take away the ‘w.’
Hugh: What did the mummy detective say?
Grant: “Alright, let’s wrap this case up.”
Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds, smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds. The rules of the competition state that the pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and be carved in a traditional way, which requires at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.
Robin: What do birds give out on Halloween night?
Jay: Tweets!
Scarecrows have become a popular Halloween fixture. They symbolize the ancient agricultural roots of the Halloween Holiday.
Nick: Where do ghosts go swimming?
Ken: In the Dead Sea.
Remember, it’s not all about the costumes, but all about how people interact with people with costumes!
Ace: How can you tell twin witches apart?
Tex: You can never really tell which witch is which.
Frances: Why is Dracula not invited to Halloween parties?
Francis: Because he is a pain in the neck.
Laura: Why was the witch’s cat giggling hysterically?
Delores: Because it was a giggle-puss.
Jimmy: What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
Jeremiah: Boo boos.
Lacy: How can you tell when windows are scared?
Lucy: They get shudders!
Some people say that Halloween arose out of superstition, or beliefs based on fear and a misunderstanding of how the world works, and that it continues as a yearly event because people find it fun. Others say there is a little more to it than that.
According to folklore, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy farmer named Jack. One day, Jack tricked the Devil into climbing up into an apple tree to get a juicy apple, and then Jack quickly cut the sign of the cross into the tree trunk, preventing the Devil from coming back down. Jack next made the Devil promise he would not go after his soul in any way. The Devil agreed; however, all of this did not prevent Jack from later passing away naturally when his time came. After Jack had passed on, he arrived at the gates of Heaven, where he was turned away because he was a mean, stingy man. Desperate for a resting place, he went to the Devil. The Devil, in keeping to his earlier promise, turned Jack away from entering Hell. “But where can I go?” Jack pleaded with him. “Back to where you came from!” replied the Devil. As the night was dark, and as the way was long, the Devil tossed to Jack a lighted coal from the fires of Hell. Jack, who was chewing on a turnip at the time, placed the coal inside it, and used this as a lantern to light his way in the dark. Ever since that day, Jack has been known as Jack of the Lantern, which became shortened over time to Jack O’Lantern. He still continues to travel the world over, waving his glowing ember in a vegetable in every direction, in search of a final resting place. And, much like the mysterious Will O’ the Wisp, he leads lost people who are out in the darkness away from the right path.
Ira: What do you get when you divide the circumference of a Jack O’Lantern by its diameter?
Isa: Pumpkin Pi!
Corey: Why was the witch kicked out of school?
Cora: Because she flunked spelling.
Boo!
B is for broomsticks for witches to fly,
O is outrageous spooks that go by,
O is for orange pumpkins so bright,
! These are the signs of a Halloween night !
by Author Unknown
Emma: How does a witch tell time?
Lee: By looking at her witch-watch.
When witches go riding
And black cats are seen,
The Moon laughs and whispers,
’Tis near Halloween!
-Author Unknown
Edna: How do you mend a broken Jack O’Lantern?
Ned: With a pumpkin patch!
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We’re out trick-or-treating
How about you?
-Author Unknown
Todd: How do you make a witch itch?
Ted: Just take away the ‘w.’
Hugh: What did the mummy detective say?
Grant: “Alright, let’s wrap this case up.”
Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds, smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds. The rules of the competition state that the pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and be carved in a traditional way, which requires at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.
Robin: What do birds give out on Halloween night?
Jay: Tweets!
Scarecrows have become a popular Halloween fixture. They symbolize the ancient agricultural roots of the Halloween Holiday.
Nick: Where do ghosts go swimming?
Ken: In the Dead Sea.
Remember, it’s not all about the costumes, but all about how people interact with people with costumes!
Ace: How can you tell twin witches apart?
Tex: You can never really tell which witch is which.
Frances: Why is Dracula not invited to Halloween parties?
Francis: Because he is a pain in the neck.
Laura: Why was the witch’s cat giggling hysterically?
Delores: Because it was a giggle-puss.
Jimmy: What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
Jeremiah: Boo boos.
Lacy: How can you tell when windows are scared?
Lucy: They get shudders!
Some people say that Halloween arose out of superstition, or beliefs based on fear and a misunderstanding of how the world works, and that it continues as a yearly event because people find it fun. Others say there is a little more to it than that.
How to Make a Halloween Ghost Decoration. Take a piece of tissue, a paper napkin, or a paper towel, and ball it up. Place it in the center of another piece of the same material and form the other piece around the balled-up piece. Tie with a piece of thread or string or bag tie. Draw eyes and mouth on your ghost with a pen or felt tip marker. Using a sewing needle and thread, attach a length of thread to the top of the ghost to tie it from a support such as a tree branch or porch ceiling. Party favor ghosts can be made by placing tissue over lollipops and tying it together.
Lynn: Where do fashionable ghosts shop for sheets?
Quinn: At boo!-tiques.
Hans: Where do baby ghosts go during the daytime?
Lars: Day-scare centers!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼ l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Happy Halloween!
I’d rather be foolish than ghoulish,
I’d rather dress up as a clown;
I’d rather wear clothes with polka dot bows,
I’d much rather smile than frown.
I’d rather be kooky than spooky,
I’d rather be friendly than mean;
I’d rather go greeting than tricking and treating,
I’d rather have a fun Halloween!
by Author Unknown
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼ l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Is the reason children sometimes dress up in Mommy’s old clothes for Halloween, and not Daddy’s old clothes, that Daddies do not have old clothes, because they are still wearing them?
Halloween is celebrated on 31 October of each year.
To all good little goblins, ghouls, and ghosts, we wish you an extremely spooktacular Halloween . . . from MFOL!
Lynn: Where do fashionable ghosts shop for sheets?
Quinn: At boo!-tiques.
Hans: Where do baby ghosts go during the daytime?
Lars: Day-scare centers!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼ l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Happy Halloween!
I’d rather be foolish than ghoulish,
I’d rather dress up as a clown;
I’d rather wear clothes with polka dot bows,
I’d much rather smile than frown.
I’d rather be kooky than spooky,
I’d rather be friendly than mean;
I’d rather go greeting than tricking and treating,
I’d rather have a fun Halloween!
by Author Unknown
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼ l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e ♥ g r o w ☼
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Is the reason children sometimes dress up in Mommy’s old clothes for Halloween, and not Daddy’s old clothes, that Daddies do not have old clothes, because they are still wearing them?
Halloween is celebrated on 31 October of each year.
To all good little goblins, ghouls, and ghosts, we wish you an extremely spooktacular Halloween . . . from MFOL!
