Freaky Friday

TGIF!  What's freaky?  How about a few freaky and interesting Halloween facts.

This:  At one time, you had to dance for your Halloween treat.  One part of our Halloween traditions has been traced back to a European phenomenon called "mumming" in which you went from door to door doing choreographed dances for treats.  Freaky.  I would love it if some trick or treaters danced at our house this year.  I'll give extra treats if you do this!

This:  According to tradition, if you wear your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween, you will see a witch at Midnight. That's freaky, but to be honest, some of you will see a witch no matter how you walk or wear your clothes.  But this does make me think of the Silent Supper a bit, since we are eating our meal backwards and in silence.
This:  Halloween is thought to have originated in 4000 BC, meaning it has been around for more than 6,000 years.  That's freaky.

This:  In China, they celebrate "Teng Chieh", also known as the Lantern Festival.  During this festival, they release lanterns shaped like dragons and also leave food out for their deceased ancestors.  This is sort of "silent supperish", too, since one place setting will be for our ancestors.

This:  Both Salem Massachusetts and Anoka, Minnesota are the self-proclaimed Halloween capitals of America.  Anoka, Minnesota?  I'll have to look that up today.  Freaky.

This:  In Hollywood, there is a $1,000 fine for using Silly String on Halloween.

This:  It is actually rare for there to be a full moon on Halloween.  The last one was in 1974 and the next one is supposed to be in 2020.

This:  The largest pumpkin in the world weighed in at 1,872.  That is freakishly huge!

And finally, this:  Many humane society/animal adoption shelters will not adopt out black cats on Halloween because there are some sick humans who want to abuse or sacrifice them.  I really was not aware of this until recently, but PLEASE, leave black fur babies alone.  Black cats are not un-lucky and do not represent anything evil.  If you own a black cat, keep an extra good eye on them during these next two weeks.

I love Halloween.  I really do.  I always have.  It is just two weeks away and I'm very excited about our celebrations of the "Silent Supper" and our annual fun Halloween party.  We will be telling fortunes in the gypsy wagon tonight (not until around 8:00 tonight, Friday, because first we will be going to "Zombies in the City") and tomorrow night (7:00 until closing on Saturday night).  I'm hoping this Saturday night is like last Saturday night and I can tell fortunes for another four hours straight.  KD should be joining me with her pendulum, too, this weekend.  I honestly love it.  Stop by!