Spooky season has arrived…in July?

You know what I have always hated? Every year, the stores would begin their onslaught of Christmas paraphernalia earlier than the year before. Eventually, the US seemed to skip right over Thanksgiving, and as soon as the last door closed on an enthusiastically earned “Trick or Treat!” bounty, people were yanking down their pumpkins and stringing up Christmas lights. Then I began to notice that we were seeing 4th of July décor in May, and we could celebrate the New Year with Valentine candy. And now, it seems, my beloved Halloween has followed suit. I am now able to shop for spooky décor IN JULY.

Yes, yes, it is true in the past I felt Halloween should be a year-round event. After all, it’s not just a holiday, but a lifestyle for me. However, I realize part of the mystique of the spooky season is the chilly weather, the gloomy skies, and the sun giving way to darkness well before 6pm. This year, I find myself gearing up for spooky season in 100 degree heat, with daylight lasting until after 9pm (seriously?), fucking bugs EVERYWHERE, and annoying masses of people crowding every public place so they can “enjoy the summer weather.” Goddammit, I want solitude, and gloom, and sweaters, and darkness.

Perhaps this is a good lesson in being careful what you wish for. I honestly thought Halloween all year would be excellent. I now know that all I really wanted was to be able to shop for spooky stuff in person all year. Halloween has its place, and that place is in October with the chilly air and the lack of sunshine. Don’t come at me for this, my fellow Halloween enthusiasts. Y’all know that deep down, you agree with me at least a little. There is an ambiance that is missing if we start spooky season too soon. Trust me, weather matters. Why do you think Australia does Christmas in July? In their neck of the woods, December is smack in the middle of their summer season. They want to deck the halls amid ambient snow and cold that only winter can bring, so they celebrate their Christmas holiday in July.

Weather matters. So don’t go starting my spooky season while people are still walking around in flip flops and hanging out at beaches and barbeques. Wait until the air is cooled, the days are shorter, and the outside world quiets down. I mean, how are we to hear the whispers from the grave over the music and chatter of the summertime crowd? Yes, do give me access to spooky décor all year long; don’t start my beloved spooky season too soon, though. There is a time and place for everything, and Halloween just doesn’t fit into July. Or August, or even September. Give me year-round spooky and October Halloween. Please and thanks.

Until next time…

Tales from the Twisted Libra Cemetery books: Enter my cemetery!