Part II of Blood and Ice haiku series.
cozy fireplace
safe respite from the storm
Nordic winds howl.
Tag: Halloween
Happy New Year, 2023!
Welcome, January! I don’t do resolutions because I can never keep any promises. Life simply gets in the way sometimes and adapting is name of the game. That’s not to say I don’t make changes. Truth is, I’ve been thinking of quitting this blog for some time, but later this spring will mark my blog’s 5th anniversary and I’m proud of my little creations. So, I’m going to stick it out another year and see where the road leads.
Blogging hasn’t always been easy. Last year was a dismal time. I have not been able find the balance in work-to-home life after the pandemic. The first two years of blogging seemed promising. Then, I realized there was another Halloween Haiku writer who returned from a long hiatus and insisted in creating a competition. It was awkward and weird. Totally killed my inspiration. I ignore that person and exist in my own space because my haiku are original. I never claimed to do anything first, especially where a 3,000 year-old art form is concerned.
My real enemy is social media. I added “horror” to my blog name to differentiate between any other halloween haikus, no matter when they started. I thought I would gain more followers doing that. The unpleasant reality is my blog is a little too niche, even for fans of Halloween, horror, or haiku. Thus, I’ve failed to make any kind of mark. I don’t have the time to keep up Halloween trends, nor the skills to run entertaining or informative social media accounts. If you’ve noticed, I stepped back from Meta (Facebook) and Twitter altogether. While I’m happy to be part of The Samhain Society, it seems my lot in life is to always be the square in a circle. But, hey, this is no pity party. I am GenX. Being alone ain’t nothing new.
So, here I am, giving blogging in 2023 a chance. This year I’m going back to basics, just writing haiku. Halloween and horror haiku to be specific. Trying something new though, all my haiku will connect to tell a story that fits a monthly theme. Actually, I did it in December 2022. Every Monthly Haiku Corner, I will announce the theme and give readers a little background blurb. From there, a tale will unfold week after week and by the end of the year, I should have 12 different micro stories, told in haiku format. Occasionally, I’ll post some other stuff too, a horror movie list for those looking for recommendations, a Friday Fright Nightcap here, a Wicked Art Wednesday showcase there, but mostly, it will be all about the Halloween and horror haiku.
I wish everyone all the best this year. May 2023 be good to you. Be safe and have fun. May you find love and inspiration this year, and of course, good health, joy, happiness, and prosperity.
Spooky Last Minute Gifts
Happy Yule! Our theme this month has been haunted holidays. A week ago, I shared great gifts for Ghost Hunters, but what if you missed your shopping window? Christmas is not lost! The best thing about buying for Halloween and Horror lovers is there are a ton of great last-minute gift ideas. So, stay cool and let’s save Christmas morning!
Digital Downloads via Kindle of The Omnist Series by Rob Weldon: The Omnist series is new funny, magical fantasy series centering around a spiritual center in Los Angeles with an app that matches people to gods to worship, daily affirmations, prayers and mantras, spiritual advice and guidance, retail merchandise to purchase, and in-person events that fit the needs of the person seeking out some other type of religious experience that they don’t get through the traditional religions. Protoganists will change book to book and Book three is due out in 2023.
Tattoo Vouchers
Thinking of getting a tattoo of your favorite artists, well, guess what? Tattoos are now copyrighted and the hot thing to do is get a voucher from the artists, giving permission to the tattooist to use one of their works on your body. Trust me, make sure your tattoo is legit.
Ghoulish Bunny: Diana Levin, artist
Give the Gift of Patreon
Gift your loved one year of Patreon to their favorite artist, podcast, or someone new and cool and they’ll really love it. Everyone loves to be entertained and inspired.
It’s Always Halloween: Haunted host, Lucé Tomlin-Brenner. provides a year ‘round research-based podcast that dives deep into the dark history of our favorite horror-filled holiday. Every episode is backed by a custom soundscape created by audio engineer, Pete Byrnes.
Scary Podcast Subscriptions
Scary Story Podcast Subscription: Lifetime Member unlimited access to all shows, completely ad-free. If your loved one loves podcasts and spooky stories, this sounds like a hot deal to me!
Crunchyroll Streaming Membership
Crunchyroll Steaming Membership Digital Gift: There are a lot of spooky horror animes out there and thanks to Crunchyroll, you can gift a one year streaming membership digital card for just $80.
Spooky Cute Art Prints – Buy yourself some time!
Okay, here’s what you do: Find a really cute spooky cute art seller, go to their shop, buy item(s), copy and paste, and/or print said item, stick the printed pic in a holiday card, and explain their new art print is on its way, but there were unexpected shipping delays. Your giftee gets to see what they got, and they’ll love it, and then, when it arrives, it’s like second Christmas!
There’s a number of fantastic artists out there with shops selling art prints, stickers, apparel, and more. It’s really hard to choose, so, please understand, I pick sellers at random and I’m just trying to spread some ghostly love.
Gifts from Across the Pond
Ghost decor from Oktober31st.co.uk store – Direct from the UK, the country with the most ghosts, ghost lovers will find enamel pins to wall decor, mugs to ornaments, stickers to art prints from this independently owned shop. Spooky Wil has all your ghastly needs covered! He also carries gift certificates available so plenty of time to cover those peeps that you won’t see until after the holidays. https://october31st.co.uk/Creepmas
Gift Yourself!
Um, did you forget someone this season? Maybe you have a new Visa giftcard or some cash gifted to you from your Auntie burning a hole in your pocket? Well, look no further.
Creepycompany.com is one of my favorite stores. From apparrel to home goods, Creepy Co. has a wide selection and good variety of different brands to choose from, like Future Ghost. Let’s face facts, ghosts are real cuz we’re all future ghosts.
Creepmas Ghost Mugs – $£4.50
Get into the holiday spirit with these one-of-a-kind coffee and tea mugs.
https://october31st.co.uk/creepmas-ghosts-red-and-white-mug/
The Original Ghost Candles from Melou Candles on Etsy – $12
These adorable soy candles come in several colors and aromas. Perfect all year round.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1294979125/the-original-ghost-candles-halloween?gpla=1&gao=1&
Beistle Batty Ghosts socks Creepy Co – $12
Why do ghosts love socks? Because they have no soles.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10097891489514919537?q=ghosts+socks&client=ms-android-verizon&biw=360&bih=621&tbs=vw:g&prds=eto:11993294977634636907_0,cdl:1,prmr:1,cs:1
I hope you find the perfect gift for your loved ones this season. If nothing on this list worked for you, I hope I inspired you to think up more ideas on your own. There are tons of independent artists, writers, and other creators out there
Haunted Holidays are Here!
Welcome, December!
After giving it some thought, I changed this month’s theme to Haunted Holidays. I realized I was creating two different themed plans in December and I wanted to take a little bit more time to plan out my approach to writing haiku next year, so…Blood and Ice will be next month’s theme.
This December is all about the haunted holidays! Back in the day, people told ghost stories during Christmastime and I would love to bring that tradition back. I encourage everyone to create, write, or find a short ghost tale to tell on Christmas eve, and if you’re having trouble, might I recommend simply retelling the classic timeless tale from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Scrooge is the hero we need right now!
December Fun
Here’s a look at some of the shenanigans I have planned this month:
- Haunted holidays haiku every Monday
- Brand new gift-giving guides for Halloween and horror fans
- New recipes for christmassy cocktails
- Haunted Holidays Photo Challenge
- Christmas gift-giving countdown (Details TBA)
I’m kicking off the celebrations with a daily photo challenge. You may post both traditional or haunted photos or artwork. Jump in any time, even if you skip a day, or 5, but, if you can post all 25 days in December, I’ll enter your name into the cauldron for a drawing to win a haunted holidays prize pack.
No purchase is necessary for any of the upcoming contests, but you must be following my blog and be friends with me on at least one of my social media pages (listed below) for a chance to win! Please see official contest rules for more details.
To join in on the fun, follow me @Halloweenhorrorhaiku on Instagram and @Halloweenkristy on Twitter or r/Halloweenhaiku on Reddit.
I wish you a season filled with amusement, inspiration, love, and joy. Please be safe and stay healthy. Remember to take some time for yourself, relax and recharge, so you don’t burn out or lose your damn mind by January.
Culinary Cannibals Marathon
On this last day in November, I serve up a fresh list of intriguing or scary movies featuring cannibals. Holidays are all about eating. Thanksgiving just passed and I still have leftovers coming out my ears. Pretty sure, cannibals don’t have this problem. Anyways, if you’re feeling stressed, why not chill for a day, or the weekend, and have scary movie marathon.
These are my faves, but there are certainly other good cannibal films out there. This year, I shy away from Cannibal Holocaust exploitation type movies cuz horror movies should be fake, lest they become something else. The real killing of animals and the rape of women is just sickening and I want to do my part to hold people accountable. Fuck those movies.
Personally, I’m excited to see the recently released Bones and All starring Timothee Chalamet, Taylor Russell, and Mark Rylance. I might even add it to the list for next year.
Haiku of the Week
Last week in November. It finally feels like Fall in Southern California, and yet, we’re rushing through the holiday season. I’ll mourn Autumn’s passing.
Friday Fright Nightcaps – Spiced Apple Cider (Crock-pot recipe)
I love this time of year because I can make this simple yet amazingly delicious spiced apple cider recipes. This one is great because it can be served with or without alcohol. I like to use Captain Morgan Spiced Rum because sometimes the cider turns out a little fruity and it balances nicely.
Haiku of the Week
The theme this month is Halloween Encore.
strands of orange lights
black cat naps on a porch
Halloween never ends
Monthly Haiku Corner – November
Welcome November! If hobbitses can have second breakfast, why can’t we have second Halloween? It’s no secret that I’m no longer a fan of Thanksgiving, but November is fine month to do all the things on your Fall and Halloween bucket list, that you were too busy to do during October. For me, I hold a Lord of the Rings marathon one weekend, and simply enjoy Halloween, which I always seem to miss cuz I’m too busy working.
The theme this month is Halloween Encore.
lit jack o lanterns
black cauldrons full of candy
Halloween encore
Happy Caturday – November
First caturday in November is always the first after Halloween. Most jack-o-lanterns are still lounging around people’s porches. Mine unfortunately didn’t even last the weekend. I attribute that to the fast that I bought the pumpkin early this year and warm weather we had weeks ago.
Anyways, the theme this month is Halloween Encore. So, while the pumpkins might be ready for pie, we can leave our decorations up until it’s really time for Christmas.
Andrew Pokhalchuk
Halloween Horror Haiku 