World 'Goth Day 2025: Visiting Sally

I have to admit it: World Goth Day snuck up on me this time around. I had planned no get togethers, and I don't know of anything happening in the goth scene around my neck of the woods until we have a goth prom, which will happen in July. So, what's a guy like me to do on a day like this?

I'll answer by saying that I'm very fortunate to have cemeteries right outside my front door. So, I went to visit Sally's grave. If you've been following this blog, you might remember that I have mentioned Sally and her grave at least a couple of times over the past several years. As a matter of fact, I did a story on her back in 2021. At the time, I had found her grave well decorated and had wondered how the owners of the cemetery would react to the attention lavished on her. 

My answer came when I visited after the owners had done one of their regular cleanups. All of the decorations had been removed, but things didn't stay that way for long. Visitors have once again lavished this mysterious person's burial site with gifts and enhancements, but these too were eventually removed. 

On today's visit I found this.

 

It might not be much yet, but the process has begun once again. A celebratory bottle, candles, and a piece of stone that someone had bothered to inscribe her name upon speaks volumes. Not only is Sally not forgotten, but her life continues to be celebrated. 

I know that, from the beginning, I have had an attachment to Sally and her burial place. Perhaps it's because no one knows anything about her that so many want to keep her memory alive. Perhaps it's because she was strong in spirit, or perhaps because her spirit still roams East Mountain Cemetery at night. What I do know, however, is that those who decorate her grave remain unknown to me. While I see visitors entering those burial grounds in general, I never see them by her spot. She is located somewhat back from the cemetery entrance, however. In any event, the continual visits and decorations are fascinating to me, and I do believe that in some way or another, Sally lives on. 

Happy World Goth Day everyone!

Halloween 2024

 Hello everyone, and Happy Halloween to you!

This year it has been a bit difficult to feel the Halloween spirit. October, instead of acting like October, has seemed more like summer: not that I generally mind warm weather, but bright, sunny, and even hot days here in October is a bit unusual; at least, when it involves almost the entire month. It is only today, Halloween, that it is actually feeling a bit normal. 

In any event, I'd like to offer a few classic Halloween photos from times past to enhance the spirit on our favorite holiday. 

 Now, the above photo looks quite old; and, according to the information accompanying it, dates back to the years 1900 to 1920. This one comes from a postcard, and most definitely captures that long time ago feel. 

What's there not to love about a witch and her feline familiar flying on a broomstick in the skies above a small rural village? This one also dates back to the early 1900s. 

I find the above image a bit unusual as it seems to harken back to a time before Jack O' Lanterns were carved out of pumpkins. I could be wrong about that, but I like it anyway. 

 Finally, here's a lovely young witch embracing the moment--and her Jack O' Lantern! I can't help but wonder what's going through Jack's mind here. 

Well folks, that's it for this year's vintage Halloween image display. A Happy All Hallows Eve to all!

World Goth Day

 

It's a dreary, gloomy day here in the Ozarks. Dark, ominous-looking clouds continue to appear near the western horizon while streaks of lightning flash across the sky, thunder resonates across the landscape, and rain pelts the roofs above our heads. All of this can mean only one thing; today is World Goth Day.

May yours be as spooky as mine! It is fitting that it be this way.  

A Unique Halloween Display

 Finally the spooky season has arrived. It is still warm here, but the wind is blowing, creating a constant rain of falling leaves. It feels like Halloween. 

The other night, I was at my favorite pub when an acquaintance stopped by to tell me about a Halloween display she had seen while taking a walk in town. "It's made up of spooky dolls," she told me; and, after letting me know that the display was close to my neighborhood, I knew I couldn't resist going to check it out. 

When I arrived at the site, I wasn't disappointed for there, staring back at me, was a plethora of dolls. Most of them were spooky indeed, and those that didn't appear quite as spooky, were frightful anyway; this, because of their vintage nature, and their association with the others.

As you can see, they are an interesting lot. Pinhead is in attendance as is Wednesday Addams and an equally spooky gal called Friday. In the background is a musical group that reminds me of a "Day of the Dead" ensemble. They're called "Ghouls Gone Wild." What an appropriate name for a band performing on All Hallow's Eve. And it was so nice of Chucky to drop in! 

Next, we get a more inclusive look at the cast. 

Now, we get to see that Edward Scissorhands is in attendance as well as Freddy Krueger, who, as usual, is creating a nightmare on a street I will not name to protect the home owner's privacy. Finally, there's a young lady in attendance who is decorated in chains and appears to be holding a microphone. She reminds me of Germany's metal vocalist Doro Pesch, but the sign in front of her says "Slayer." Hmm... I wonder what's up with that. One thing's for sure: the music on Halloween night is going to be wild! 

Finally, we get a look at who's on the other side of the stage...er... lawn. 

These folks here, spooky in their own right, seem to be the party goers. In any event, I am more than impressed with this Halloween display. As a matter of fact, I love it, and that's why I wanted to share. 

Here at the Gothic Embrace, I seem to have started a tradition of featuring vintage Halloween photos--art from years gone by. So, in keeping with that tradition, here's something to gaze at: 

 

There is little more enduring as we think about Halloween than Jack o' lanterns, and here are several sitting by a hay field. What better image can sum up the season and All Hallow's Eve itself? 

A Happy Halloween to you all!