Ghosts, Goblins, And Hallowe'en Night

 It is Hallowe'en today, and so time for the proverbial things that go bump in the night. I tend to spend a lot of time in and around the Glebe neighbourhood, and homes and businesses do a lot of decorating for the occasion. This is the front window display of a pet grooming business.

Homes have a lot of creative ideas in the neighbourhood in how they decorate.

On Wednesday night, I went to the National Arts Centre for a Hallowe'en theme concert, with classical music and film score selections appropriate to the occasion. One of the large spaces in the building was decorated for photo ops.

Lots of guests were wearing costumes for this, the first night of a three night run of the concert, and most of the orchestra were in costume as well. It was a fun concert, and well worth attending. From the classical side of things, there were pieces like Ride of the Valkyries, The Hall of the Mountain King, Witches' Ride from Hansel and Gretel, and the Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens.

Film score selections included music from Psycho, Joker, The Witches Of Eastwick, Aliens, Signs, Jaws, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the Harry Potter films. The conductor was a delight, remarking on how her father had taken the family to see Aliens when she was six, and of course it terrified her. She also remarked on how the music for that film is beautiful, thrilling, and even violent, and the suite they played definitely reflected that. It is an odd thing to both have music make you smile, and unnerve you, best reflected in the opening notes of the Jaws theme. And closing a concert like this with music from Harry Potter? Just perfect.

Ghosts, Ghouls, And Jack O-Lanterns

 Happy Hallowe'en! 

I start today in the Byward Market, where some weeks ago I was passing through one afternoon and noticed this skeleton.

I did not notice the bee in this shot until after I looked at the shots.

This oversized skeleton was across the street, outside the main market building. A bird at its base could have cared less.

This is the front porch of a home in Little Italy.

While these are the decorations of a home in the Glebe.

More decorations around homes in the Glebe.

As some of my friends like to say that I'm a vampire, I told them this is what's left of the last member of the Van Helsing family who came after me.

This is the front window of a Glebe shop- appropriately a pet grooming shop.

And I finish with more homes in the Glebe.

This one is arranged perfectly on the door itself.

A Night When Spirits Of The Underworld Walk The Earth

Happy Hallowe'en!

I start today in the Glebe, where one morning I passed by this house, with Hallowe'en decorations already out. The skeletal Cerberus appealed to me.

Another night, and a few blocks away, I was at Lansdowne Park, where one of the restaurants tends to decorate their patio area for the occasion. 

Yesterday, these were outside the same restaurant.

And a few nights ago, on my way home, I took a route I normally don't take, and my reward for it was several homes with Hallowe'en decorations.

Fall Colours And Jack O'Lanterns

Here we have the path leading to the portion of the Mackenzie King Estate named Kingswood. It is a combination for the name of the lake- Kingsmere Lake- and the childhood home of Mackenzie King- Woodside.

Another quote by the man along the path.

Kingswood has more of a cottage sensibility to it, with two main cottages and a carriage house.

This is the guest cottage. As King's career progressed and he would find himself entertaining guests, it made sense for a second place on the property. At this time of year the cottages are closed down for the season.

A look to the left shows the main house at Kingswood. In style very much like its counterparts. We'll carry on here tomorrow.

But before I go, this being Hallowe'en, I can't let the occasion go by unmentioned. Some days after this visit to the Gatineau Hills, I paid a visit to the grounds of Rideau Hall to see the fall colours. This jack o'lantern was on display.

My Hallowe'en selfies.

And this display was in the Glebe one night. I've photographed this house before. It's a bit different from last year.