My spider brooch is vintage (similar style turtle brooch here, complementing earrings here, complementing bracelet here; same style love birds brooch here). If you’d like a spider brooch, check this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one.

I say it every year - I don’t like Halloween. I don’t like scary stuff, I dislike the macabre decorations, well, you get the picture… And there’s a story behind this…

I used to be just a tiny little bit braver years ago, and I liked watching scary movies to some degree. I used to live alone at the time, and watching movies at night was a favorite pastime. Until I watched Ghost Ship. To you, it may be nothing, but it took me a long time to get over that movie - I remember being terrified to walk through my apartment at night. Eventually, I got over it. And I was back to watching movies at night, though I was steering clear of the scary ones. But fate had some more “games” in store for me still.

I remember it clearly - it was sometime around midnight, and I was watching one of The Mummy movies… I had done laundry that day and hung some to dry out on my balcony. It was kind of windy and I could see my laundry flowing back and forth out of the corner of my eye. It was quiet and the night felt eerie. As I was engrossed in the movie, I remember a scene where the ground shakes and the mummy comes out (unless my memory fails me - but there was definitely ground shaking in the scene) - and I swear on my life that as the scene unfolded, the ground around me began shaking. Behind me, I had a shelving unit with glass shelves full of knick-knacks that were shaking and clinking like they were about to collapse on me. I was truly terrified and frozen, and it took me a few good seconds to register what was happening - an earthquake. As I realized it, I jumped from my seat, unplugged the computer, and ran towards the door frame. I was so scared I began sobbing uncontrollably.

I was living in a seismic zone at the time, where earthquakes happen and are expected, but the shock of them never leaves one “unshook”, pun intended. Needless to say the experience scarred me - that movie mixed with the earthquake was the last time I “adventured” myself in the world of “scary”.

Mind you, that didn’t happen right on Halloween - it was two days early, but it’s a story to tell, because, really, what are the odds of that timing?

In spite of my experience, I’m still curious about ghost stories - I just can’t handle them. Even though I read a few once in a great while.

Pictured below: Old Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego on a foggy day (captured by me, of course). Word on the street is that it’s haunted. I visited it several times, before I knew this, and haven’t seen or felt any ghosts, haha.

When we returned to the States after our European trip and spent some time in Upstate New York, I came across ghost stories that allegedly occurred there. I read More Haunted Northern New York, more true, chilling tales of ghosts in the North Country and heartwarming encounters with the spirits of loved ones by Cheri L. Revai (apparently there are book 1 and book 3 also). It was an interesting read (though don’t expect anything over-the-top scary). Did I still pay the price of running away from imaginary ghosts? Yes, yes I did, but I don’t regret reading it (the 1st photo is from the book).

If you’re in the area and are interested in ghost hunts and such, try Haunted History Trail of New York State - no, I haven’t tried it - are you crazy??? - but it’s “endorsed” by I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism, so I’m sure it’s “ravishing”.

If you’re in my old neighborhood, aka, San Diego, California, try San Diego Ghost Tours - people seem to love them. Or visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, who knows, maybe you run into a ghost or two?

This reminds me of the Greyfriars Kirkyard (pictured below) we visited in Edinburgh, UK, allegedly the most haunted place in the world; strangely enough, I’ve felt the most peace while there, though, again, I had no idea at the time of its reputation.

As far as Florida, have you heard or visited Cassadaga? Sounds like quite the experience for a Halloween adventure and beyond.

And if you’re in my neck of the woods, may I recommend Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream? It sounds like [scary] fun, haha.

Or check this page for scary events around Tampa Bay, and if you’re brave enough, take a haunted cruise.

I hope you enjoyed this post - Happy [early] Halloween! What scary fun will you be having?