Friday, October 31, 2008

The Pumpkin God

There may be spookier decorations than those in the Orange Heights historic district, but no All Hallows' Eve display has ever captured my imagination like the Pumpkin God on Jackson Street.

That may not be his name, but surely he's some sort of pagan deity. In the darkness at the end of the road, he looms above his yard in all his ragged splendor.

Tonight, after the little ones have gotten their candy, I recommend a stroll down Jackson Street to give yourself a thrill.

33 comments:

USelaine said...

Bravo! I like this capture!

Dina said...

Oi, what a scary pumpkin god!

Wishing you a great opening night tomorrow, Petrea. Yesterday I saw something in old Jerusalem that reminded me of you. I'll post it soon.
Hope someone can take pictures on you on stage, since you will be unable to. :)

Cafe Observer said...

Halloweeeeeeene!!

One of my fav holidays. Oh,yes, the candy.

I can go "dressed" as a dog, easily trick or treat these McO'Bamatized neighbors to receive a bunch of chocolate & other goodies. They'll never know what they did.

You're right, P, about spookier things in the Pumpkin Orange Heights districk - O'bama & mcCain signs. Oh man, I'm gonna give myself a nightmare!

Laurie Allee said...

All hail the mighty pumpkin god!

This is truly great, Petrea. And a happy Halloween to you!

Benjamin Madison said...

Very spooky!

Keith said...

Very scary! Happy Halloween!

D-C said...

I would run if I would meet that guy!

Good lightning in this photo!

John Sandel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Sandel said...

Great shades of Chernobog! Imagine running away from the shaving-cream thugs and stumbling into this. Primordial shadows of fear and pestilence loom over every town, benights … Think modern times have banished the eternally hungry dark?

What was that, scratching at your windowpane, as you fell asleep …?

Pat said...

Oh, wowee, that's just the kind of Halloween decoration I love to see. Great, just great!!! A "divine" image of a pumpkin god...

Profile Not Available said...

Excellent shot, Petrea! I love the creativity somebody put into this!

Jilly said...

This is a real scary dude. I'd not want to pass him on a dark night. You'll find a cheat pumpkin on Monte Carlo DP today...

Anonymous said...

Even worse if he was carrying his head! Yeah!

Happy Halloween, all!

pasadenapio said...

He needs to see a doctor! His sinew is showing.

marley said...

That is scary! I've just hollowed out my pumkin and it looks friendly compared to this one!

Petrea Burchard said...

Happy Halloween to all!

Dina, thanks for thinking of me and for the good mood you put me in today. Elaine, go see! I had to go look before I could do anything else.

C.O. - I didn't see any McCain signs. It's all Obama all the time in Orange Heights.

Bernie! That's the spirit. Halloween may be fun for children but I love the darkness of it, our dim, collective memory of our ancient, pagan roots.

Have fun tonight, everyone, and be safe.

Virginia said...

Oh go ahead, I double dog dare you!!!!
He's just great Petrea!

John Sandel said...

BOO!

Anonymous said...

When it comes to pumpkin carving, I'm a fiscal conservative (the first time I've ever used the word "fiscal".. did I scare you?). The perfect shaped pumpkin and the toothy/toothless goofy grin. None of that MaRThA SteWArt approach for me. I am frightened.

Thursday Girl/Hollis the Cat said...

wow, THANKS! I KNEW Linus was on to something! :)

Jules said...

I so love this - I'd have him in my yard all the year -- to scare the kids who come and try to slug my birds!!!!!

Good luck on Opening Night!!! I'm all for local theatre - was in a theatre group when I was back in OZ and used to do some with the kids. I have always been know as a bit of a Drama Queen!!!!

Pity you guys spell it wrong though - he,he,he!!!

T Thompson said...

"Come and make an offering of candy unto me, lest ye suffer my wrath!!"

XD

Great shot - Great, erm sculpture? Whatever you'd call it, it shows someones time and exceptional industry!

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Brr. That's quite scary. lol

Jane Hards Photography said...

It's Jeepers Creepers! Brilliant and strangely reminds me of many of rhe locals here.

Cafe Observer said...

P, how do we get tix for your newest adventure in dramatic San Marino?
Can we just walk up, mention "I'm with The P," or do we have to take a # & get wristbands?

btw, dogs had better be allowed in!

Petrea Burchard said...

Jules, I spell it wrong, too! Just being belligerent, I guess. Thanks for your good wishes.

C.O., dogs like you (and only dogs like you) can go to the show. Here's the info.

I hope you're all having fun tonight. We've still got kids ringing the doorbell for candy. I love it.

Ms M said...

That's a great pumpkin god! Brings to mind stories of the headless horseman, and other spooky tales best told at night around a small campfire or a flashlight.
All the best to you and the cast on the opening of the play.

Patrizzi Intergarlictica said...

Look at the time, I just had a samurai warrior (past his bedtime) at the door.

Kids are more frightening than any pumpkin, especially the real short ones with mustaches.

I'm out of candy corn!

Maria Verivaki said...

scarecrow pumpkin? i love it

Curly said...

It's amazing how much Halloween US style has caught on in the UK over the past four or five years. I wonder how many pumpkins the USA export to us each year now?

I have a small Halloween slide show to share.

Petrea Burchard said...

Merci Ms M.

Miss H, we turned off the lights and blew out the candles at about 8:45. The hooligans had cleaned us out of candy.

hi Kiwi!

Curly, I guess the US style is the trick-or-treating? But surely you can grow pumpkins in the UK?

freefalling said...

Oooo - I DO like him!
And great photo!
Did you take more photos of him from different angles?
I would have loved to have a go at him with my camera.

Petrea Burchard said...

I tried a few, Letty, but got a bunch of blurries. Plus you know me, I didn't want to tresspass. You'd have gone in the yard and gotten all kinds of angles.