Halloween Memories

Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm a big ole chicken when it comes to watching the frightening flicks. Sad, but true, I'm the annoying chick who yells, "Stop! Don't go in there!" or "Look behind you, you silly broad!" I don't know how many movies I've watched with my hand over my eyes, peeking through my fingers. Although I may jump and latch onto my hubby's shirt like it's a life-line, I'm having a blast!
I have a cache of favorites I love to whip out. I think the first movie I watched that gave me the creepies was Disney's adaptation of Washington Irving's, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I loved the goofy Ichabod Crane, his tormentor Brom Bones, and Ichabod's sweetheart Katrina. I'd get the chills every time the Headless Horseman appeared. I can't wait for my kids to get a little older so I can share the classic Disney movie.
In sixth grade, I stayed the night at my BFF's house and her mom let us watch Stephen King's movie, IT. A killer clown, a spooky town, and bone-chilling scenes had me jumping at shadows for months!! I couldn't take a shower without putting a wash cloth over the drain in fear of the Clown popping up to take me down where everything floats! C'mon, I know those of you who have seen the movie probably did the same darn thing! Mr. King is the master of giving people the heebie-jeebies.

I can remember the first time my parents let me watch the original Halloween with Jamie Lee Curtis. Oh, my goodness, I was petrified! For months, my folks knew exactly where I was in the house, because I flipped very stinkin' light on, no matter where I went! Plus, I would shut all the blinds. I hated dark windows and STILL DO! Yikes! Nothing freaks me out more than the idea of another person's face looking back at me.
One of my best semesters in college was the Fall of 1999. I had a killer group of friends who lived a couple of complexes away. We were inseparable. Kind of like a country-fried version of Friends. Our favorite thing to do (besides painting town) was movie night. One of the guys picked up The Blair Witch Project. Scatter about the mismatched couches and shag carpet, the ten of us devoured every inch of herky-jerky camera work. By the last frame, we were little more than a jumble of bodies clumped in the center of the room! Boys being boys, they took advantage of our terror and got us good the next morning. I can still hear "Backseat Becky" (long story- and she'd never forgive me! lol) screaming her head off when she opened the front door. The fellas had piled rocks and pines cones on the doorstep- the Blair Witch's calling card. OMG! Good times, good times!
Every scary movie I've seen has a fantastic memory associated with it. I think that's why I'm enamored with this time of year. I'd be lying if I said the hordes of chocolate candies being bandied about doesn't hurt either!
Here's a couple of my other favs: Hocus Pocus, The Sixth Sense, Fear (with hunkie-dunkie Mark Wallburg-oh, he's creepy!) and Signs. LOL I haven't expanded my brag-roll to the bloody hack-and-slashers. Like I said, I'm a wuss!
Now, it's your turn! C'mon on and spill your favorite Halloween tradition or memory! Let's celebrate what holidays are all about. . . bringing people together!

For more on Sarah- check out her blogs : The Lovestruck Novice and Friday Night Writes.


~Sarah Simas~
2009 Golden Gateway Finalist
See What I'm Up To http://thelovestrucknovice.blogspot.com.

Sarah Simas: Hero worship

Ever give any thought as to what the world would be like if there weren't any Lancelots or Prince Charmings?
Sad, dreary, boring? (Sheesh! That sounds a bit like my dates during college!!)
But it's true! A story without a hero is like a cake with leavening-FLAT!
Now, I realize for argument's sake that a heroine doesn't always need a man to save her and I enjoy those stories, too. But my heart will always belong to a yarn with a hero that makes me burn.

What about a Robin of Locksley in Robinhood?


I know I certainly spent many class periods dreaming of my Robinhood climbing a rose-covered trellis to steal a kiss. Of course, in reality, I wasn't even a glimmer in anyone's eye in 1937 when Errol Flynn played the first Robinhood I ever saw, but the concept wasn't lost on me. A daring, handsome rebel in tights fighting an evil usurper with nothing more than merry men wielding swords- now that is a hero to swoon over!

Then there is my super-duper favorite- the reformed rake! I'm gonna go old school here for this example. Who remembers Johanna Lindsey's Mallory Brothers?? Anthony from TENDER REBEL and James from GENTLE ROGUE are heroes I've yearned for each of the hundred times I've read them. What is it about a charming, naughty boy that ladies can't resist? (probably the fact he's gonna know what's what when the light go out!! LOL)

I would be sorely remiss if I didn't pay homage to the original Highlander- William Wallace in Braveheart. *Sigh* I still get weepy when I see William devouring Murron with his eyes in the marketplace just after their clandestine wedding. Who can forget that scene?! Great Scot! (literally! lol) And then the way the warrior fights like hell for his lost love and his people. My heart is flipping like a fish right now and I'm no where a TV!

Regardless of who your ideal hero is, we all share the same desire to have the love of a man who will steal our heart and leave us wanting more. I know when I write my leading men, it's combination of these gents I try for. How lucky are we to get to create the men of our dreams over and over?! And the best part... we don't have to wash his underwear!!

So tell me- Who do you hero?

For more info about Sarah Simas- check her blogs: The Lovestruck Novice and Passion and Patter.