Ramblings of a retiree in France
This week Sandy’s Friendly Friday Photo Challenge is to take a NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK and share seasonal sights from our hometown.
Sandy took a walk around her neighbourhood and was reminded that this is a big weekend for kids. The autumnal leaves already make her street pretty but her neighbours have also decorated it for Halloween. Where she lives, October is the unofficial start of the dress up the front yard season. Gone are the days of just mowing the lawn and tending the flower beds. Itβs the beginning of seasonal decorations: Halloween, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s.
This challenge really highlights a number of cultural differences. In France we celebrate Toussaint (All Saints Day) on 1 November, and not Halloween the night before. We don’t have yards, those of us who live in houses have front gardens, most of which are well-hidden behind tall fences, hedges and walls with gates. We might have a seasonsal chrysanthemum in matching pots either side of the front door but basically that’s it. I can’t even show you our splendid fall colours because we don’t really get them on the littoral. Plus, we’ve just gone back into lockdown for at least a month, so no wandering around the neighbourhood taking photos!
So here’s what I can show you, with nary a pumpkin in sight!
I’m much enjoying these weekly challenges hosted on alternate weeks by either Amanda or Sandy because they force me to think about what’s in my photo archives and how I might re-purpose them.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, why not join in the fun?
Who needs pumpkins around when you’re surrounded with such beauty! Wonderful pics Sheree, thanks for sharing them with us!ππΊπ
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My pleasure Steve
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An enticing set. I do hope you all come out of it well
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Thanks Derrick
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It looks very lovely Sheree. It’s going to look even lovelier in Winter when I compare it to our front yards covered with snow and ice π
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Cool
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That’s some AMAZING photography. Whoa! Especially the water and the ripples. It’s my favourite type of photosπ
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Thank you
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Love the beautiful blue sky π π
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Me too!
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I enjoyed this walk immensely Sheree π
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Thank you
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Fabulous pictures as always π
All Saints Day and Halloween (AKA All Hallows Eve) are different but related. Halloween is supposed to be the day (night) that the veil between the material world and the spiritual world is the thinnest. Largely a pagan holiday, but the early church acknowledged the spiritual thing with the veil. All Saint’s Day was created with the idea of celebrating the boundaries beginning to firm up again, and IIRC give the Saints some credit for contributing to that while pulling people away from celebrating the pagan holiday.
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Thanks for the information.
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Pingback: The Origins of Halloween | Silk Chatters
π
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Lovely views. I loved the water sceneries most. π
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Thanks
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All beauty pics, but the last one was my favourite.
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Cool
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Beautiful! β€ β€
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Thanks
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