Happy Halloween!!

I may possibly get this post up before Thanksgiving...ha-ha!!

And now, into the way-back machine to October 31, where the weather is beautiful...and we join Mr. Mark beginning Phase 1 of Big Spider Web Construction.

This is a hand-made-one-of-a-kind web which, 

when stored away during the non-Halloween months, becomes a...........

tangled mess.   

Kind of like those Christmas Light strings...

..

 But with a patience born of years of struggle, he soon has the web stretched onto the driveway.

 But Great Big Spider Webs don't lay on the ground....they must be ready to snag their dinner... 

Oh, don't worry about Mr. Mark as he hangs the web, because the Spider isn't out yet for dinner....

 Stretching the web to the ground and using iron tent stakes to hold it down... 

 

 SUDDENLY THE SPIDER APPEARS IN THE WEB!!

Grandpa Gil carefully watches to see that she doesn't make a meal of Mr. Mark.

 But she sure does look hungry...what to do???

 Luckily I find two out of work skeletons laying around,

waiting for their next acting job.

A handshake and they're ready to take on their new role...

WOW, what an actor!!

Look at that 'woe is me' act he's putting on!! 

Nothing but skin-and-bones....really just bones...he needs this job!

Now it's time to make space for other semi-permanent residents.

Amanda balances the monumentally heavy headstone.

Yes, it's made of extremely heavy....uh.....styrofoam.

 And here's everyone gathered 'round, waiting....Let's meet them!

Mr. Hansen, the other original skeleton actor,

who throws up a waving hand, but is otherwise still lying down on the job.

(Hey, isn't that one of those spirit orbs trying to get in on the picture?!)

As the words say, Mr. Wicks was a wonderful host.

Hands down, the best.

(Ha!) 

Happy Houdini, the magician's younger, double jointed brother.

Double-jointed ankle and baby finger, that's all.

His brother kept him around for laughs, 'cause that's what he did best.

LAUGH!!

Foolish Harry has popped up out of the ground for the first year.

His pet spider is named Polly.

As a former pirate, he used to have a parrot named.......

Gertrude.

Waiting for the sun to set....

I go next door to invite the neighbor over.

But change my mind....wouldn't you???

After all, we've got Wayne to sit with us.

The chain keeps him from roaming around....

And after dark, he really gets lit!!

(The kids are fascinated with him, sure that someone's in there

and going to jump out at them.!)

 And here we wait for the first brave trick 'r treaters.

Wayne, then my chair as tally keeper, then Amanda as candy giver.

Then grandma and grandpa as audience.

And little pumpkin boy.

 And here they begin!!!

Cowboys and Cowgirl and Indian Linebacker.

Intently reading the stones.

 Take a look at this.....That's a BIG spider!!

 Here they are arriving by wagonload.

And brakelights showing up along the street...as they stop to let out the kids!

It was a great year....

650+ Trick 'r Treaters stopped by!!

These guys just couldn't contain themselves next door...

 

HAPPY   HALLOWEEN  !!!