Weird Halloween
GRANDMA’S
GRUESOME
GARDEN SPECIAL

Autumn Rose
HELLO FRIENDS OF
THE ORANGE MOON

[First Published: October 2, 2020]


The precocious Autumn Rose speakin’, back from the grave to welcome y’all to a season like no other. As the first chills of the autumn air make their way down to our porches, yards and into our very hearts, we are reminded, as if we needed a reminder, that Halloween, that grand festival of festivals, is swiftly approaching. However, a cloud of doubt seems to hangs over this usually excitin’ time of year. In the face of this pandemic and what all, the question on most folk's mind, “Will there even be a Halloween?”

Well now, we here at Weird Halloween wish to tell all our friends of the orange moon, every child of the night, each selfless supporter of the strange, that most certainly there will.

But to what shape its ghostly form may take we are less certain. But this we promise— We will be here more than ever before to ring in this very special season.

With that let this time not just be one of celebration but reflection, as we gather round the campfire in thoughtful contemplation of the true spirit of Halloween.

And it is on that note, we take our first step down the beaten path, right on down into the winding trails of fright and fantasy. ’Cause comin’ round the bend is our first story of the season. And it is a well seasoned one at that. Hope y’all enjoy.
* * *

A family of four stopped over at grandma’s house on their way back home. Grandma had been tending to her garden when the doorbell rang. She welcomed them kindly and wished to bake them something from scratch for their surprise visit.

She asked the youngest son to go and run out to see what all he could find in the garden. Just then the power went out. However, grandma was not at all worried. She knew she could still prepare, as outages had been common, and the power would be back on shortly. A minute later, the youngest told her that he found a fine pumpkin. Strange that she did not remember it before, grandma thought it would make a delicious pie regardless.

Still dark, the youngest brought the pumpkin in. Grandma began scooping out the contents and picking out the seeds. Grandma was most pleased to find very few seeds and that the contents came out easily, all which helped make working in the dark a breeze.

Mashing up the pumpkin with cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg and other ingredients, Grandma was delighted with the rich creamy thickness of the batter.

“What an excellent pie this will make,” thought Grandma.

Once finished, she placed it in the oven. Shortly after, the lights came on, and grandma set the oven to bake.

Later, grandma plucked the pie out of the oven. It did not look too pretty, but this was not to be unexpected. Anyway, grandma knew it would taste great and began to serve her guests. The pie had a squishy softness to it with a delightful crunch, and everyone thought it was the finest pumpkin pie they had ever tasted.

Minutes through the meal, however, the youngest son started choking. The mother rushed over and performed a Heimlich maneuver. What happened next shocked and horrified the family, from out he spat—a full-grown slug.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that what the youngest took as grandma’s garden was her neighbor’s compost pile from which grew thick weeds due to neglect.

Grandma had served her family a pie from the rotting contents of a discarded jack o’ lantern filled to the brim with slugs and millipedes.
* * *
Yuck! B’gosh’lmighty! That's a thought to give one the shivers, sure enough. Oh, I don’t think my grandma like that story none bit neither. Well, it’s been right nice speakin’ with y’all this evenin’.
’Til we meet again—stay together... keep nigh unto the fire.
Copyright © 2020 Thrill Land


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