Today, the weather channel has forecasted that many storms will be brewing around the country.  As I am typing this, there is thunder in the distance and the sky is black.  Earlier the lights flicked on and off and the wind outside sounded eerily haunting.  Our dog, who by the way weighs in at about 100 lbs, is cowering under the bed.  He’s is petrified of storms and somehow he can always sense when one is coming.  My son, Caden loves storms – the bigger the better.  When the lights go out, he’s in his glory.  On the other hand, my daughters, Olivia and Sydney hate them.  At the first rumble of thunder, they’re glued to my side.  Me, I’ve always loved a good thunderstorm. 

Speaking of thunderstorms, I don’t think you can have a scary movie without one.  It seems like in every horror film whenever someone is alone in the house, or driving on a deserted road – it’s night, the thunder is booming and lightning is flashing in the sky.  Of course, what’s a scary movie without the lights going out in the house – right before the killer strikes!  Whenever someone is lying in their bed alone at night it never fails that it’s storming and the tree in their yard is cracking against the window pane from the wind.  What about that instant when lightning flashes in a darkened house and the killer is standing there?  You find yourself screaming at the girl or guy on the screen that the killer is right behind them!

I would rather watch a scary movie in my own home once it comes out on DVD instead of watching it at a theater.  That way, I can hold my pillow up to my eyes for the scary parts I’m afraid to watch, and I can turn on the lights any time I want.  My nephews are just the opposite.  As soon as a horror flick comes out they can’t wait to get to the theater to see it.      

Well, I made it through the dreaded Friday, July 13th with nothing out of the ordinary happening!  I’m sure there are a few of you out there that had something suspicious happen to you, but for the most part Friday was pretty much the same old, same old for me.  However, did you know that not only do a lot of people find Friday 13th  loaded with superstitions, but Halloween Day as well?  The dictionary defines the word superstition as, “an irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious”.  We all know that Halloween and fear go hand-in-hand.

Many Halloween superstitions can be interesting as well as fun.  Here are some for you to think about:

1. If you see a spider on Halloween, it could be the spirit of a dead loved one watching you.
2. If a bat flies into your house on Halloween, it is a sign that ghosts or spirits are near, and that they are in your home and let the bat in.
3. If the flame on your candle goes out on Halloween, it means you are in the presence of a ghost.
4. If you put your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night, at midnight you will see a witch in the sky.
5. If a black cat crosses your path it is bad luck.  It was once believed that black cats were the devil, or consumed by evil spirits.  Today many families own black cats and do not experience unusual bad luck.  Did you know that in Britain, they believe white cats are bad luck?
6. A person born on Halloween can see and talk to spirits.

The list for all the different superstitions goes on and on, but I think you get the point.  My Grandmother was born on Halloween and she couldn’t see or talk to the spirits – at least she didn’t do it when I was around (thank goodness)!