Monday's Memo: 2020's Halloween Note-cards Are Now Available

JACK-O-LANTERN BIRDWATCHING

This past Saturday here on Blogger, I published an entry re my Halloween-themed totes and discussed the fact that on 9-22-2020, re the COVID-19 pandemic (cornavirus) the CDC stated "for people who were planning to go trick-or-treating on Halloween this year: don't..."   

And I pointed out the CDC urged people to "Avoid activities that are higher risk for spread," and to "Consider fun alternatives that pose lower risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19." 

Within that entry I featured images of my new line of Halloween-themed totes and concluded with a promise that I would publish post on 10-5-2020 (which is today) to offer information re my selection of my 2020 Halloween cards. After all, sending cards is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween safely.

My Halloween cards are sized 5" by 7" and produced by Finr Art America (FAA). They use digital offset printers and 100 lb paper that has a UV protectant. The image is semi-gloss and the inside of the card is matte and blank so one can write a message, but if you prefer, FAA can customize any text or message that you want to include.

The card featured in the image atop this posting is from a few years ago but by popular demand it is also available this year. The ones which are directly below all have matching canvas bags/totes/pouches (that are available in three sizes which is described in the aforementioned post).

ALL HALLOWS EVE

HALLOWEEN IN THE GARDEN

EIGHT LITTLE PUMPKINS

FOUR LITTLE PUMPKINS

JACK-O-LANTERNS SUNBATHING

JACK-O-LANTERNS LAUGHING

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR

I realize Halloween is twenty-one days from now and I don't like to rush the entrance of the holiday, but due to time needed for shipping (in the event you'd like to purchase items mentioned here), I thought it best to give a heads up now.

Soon it Will Be Halloween (27 Days)

In just a a little under one month's time, 2020's Halloween will be here. Last year on that holiday I was on the UES heading west when I encountered a woman wearing a panda bear mask. She can be seen in the image atop this entry.

Who could have known that less than one year's time, most every one throughout the United States and other parts of the world be (or should be) wearing face-masks to prevent the spread of a pandemic known as COVID-19 (the cornavirus).

Today's the last Saturday of October 2011! Question: Will it be Halloween's Last Stand?

If you have been following my blog, then you are probably aware that some of the things which I grow in my urban (New York City) terrace garden have taken it upon themselves to express their thoughts and opinions by authoring blog entries and posting them within this blog.

This "hoopla" — which has caused one of the Halloween pumpkins that I currently have in my garden to be overcome with laughter as seen in the image to in the upper lefthand corner —  all started in April of 2010, when my blog was only a little over four months old, and one of the flowers from my Paeonia suffruiticosa (Tree Peony), posted a photograph of herself with a short narrative. (If you would like to refer to this, please click here.)

As time passed, word got out among the plants, vines, flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs — which totaled a little over eighty when I last took a census — that the flower from my Paeonia suffruiticosa had done this, and many of the things which I grow began authoring entries on my blog. (This fact has  caused another one of the Halloween pumpkins that I currently have in my garden to also be overcome with laughter as seen in the image at the right.)

Halloween Figurines Return to Reread Vol 2 from the "Words In Our Beak Series"

Halloween Visitors Re Read Volume Two

My Halloween visitors are back again and a few of them are rereading volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak  (as seen in the photo atop this entry), because it has a section  that discusses safe outdoor decor for this holiday, as certain decorations can often be detrimental to birds. 

This holiday is ten days away (counting today) and it will be celebrated quite difffently because of the coronavirus pandemic safety regulations.

One very safe way to celebrate it with the family is to read together and Words In Our Beak Voume Two is the perfect choice.

BOOK JACKET FRONT

A picture of the pages that discuss Halloween (in relation to birds) can be seen directly below.

PAGES 44 AND 45 WIOB V2

Moreover, two images from that segement of the book have been rendred on to greeting cards (a photo of each of the cards I am referring to can be seen in the next sequence of images...

JACK-O-LANTERN BIRDWATCHING

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR NOTE-CARD

..and these cards are (along with other selections) available via Fine Art America (FAA).

Additionally, one image from this section ("The Pumpkin Choir") of voume two has been rendred on to a tote bag (also by FAA) which is available in three sizes.

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR TOTE

If these items interest you, don't delay too much dear reader, nine days will pass quickly!

Halloween Decor Can Be Hazardous To birds (Another Tuesday's Truth for Segment 99)

In one of the entries on the Facebook Page for Mutts, a comic strip that I saw prompted me to add another segment to today's Tuesday's Truths series (I published one re ducks earlier this morning).

A copy of the Mutts strip which I am referring to can be seen atop this entry. With the strip this "commentary" is stated on the FB Page for Mutts: "As Halloween approaches, please keep your animal pal's safety in mind. Keep chocolate, candy, and other "people treats" out of reach. Remember that masks, wigs, and costumes can be frightening to animals. Use caution with holiday decor, as some items can be toxic or pose choking hazards. Be extra careful when lighting candles, especially when there are active pups or 'batty' kitties around. Any other tips you'd like to share?"

Friday's Fact: It may be too early for some boo-shit but not all....

There are six more days left in September and then Halloween will not be celebrated until the thirty-first of October… So, yes, on many levels, it’s too early for boo-shit!

BUT if you want to send cards for the occasion and/or give a gift such as a Halloween-themed tote, now might be the time to start thinking about this because while it’s too early for boo-shit, it’s not too late to order products since shipping tends to take time (unless you have Amazon prime).

I have created items (totes and greeting cards) for celebrating Halloween and they can be purchased from FAA (Fine Art America). Samples can be seen here (in the collage posted directly above). To see details my Halloween card, click here, and to see details re my Halloween tote, click here.

To see more of my Halloween selections visit me on FAA by clicking here.

Moreover, some of my Halloween-Themed products are based on images included in volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak.

Its is available on Amazon or by giving the ISBN number 0996378537 to wherever books are sold; it makes a great gift at anytime, including Halloween!

All versions of Words In Our Beak have a goal which is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. The setting for my books is my rooftop urban garden in New York City, my stories are told in the voice of Cam, a female cardinal, who visits it. Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective.

An Inspiration from The Great Pumpkin

BOOK COVER FOR GREAT PUMPKIN CAROLS

According to a FB Pagefor the Charles M. Schultz Museum, "Following the success of the 1966 TV special 'It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!,' Hallmark published a whimsical booklet of Peanuts Pumpkin Carols." (A copy of the booklet cover is seen in the image to the left, or the first picture in time-line view).

"As declared by Linus, and according to the front cover, 'Halloween is becoming a forgotten holiday. We dedicated followers of the Great Pumpkin must do something to rekindle the Halloween spirit. Let us not rest until the universe resounds with pumpkin carols.'

⁠

"🎼 The booklet includes eight pumpkin carols, set to well-known Christmas tunes, of course. Carols include: Great Pumpkin is Coming to Town, Pumpkin Wonderland, I’m Dreaming of the Great Pumpkin, Pumpkin Bells, The Twelve Days of Halloween, I Heard the Bells on Halloween, and O Pumpkin Cards." (Image and text are taken from the aforementioned FB Page for Peanuts @).

Upon my seeing a copy of the 1966 booklet, "THE PEANUTS BOOK OF PUMPKIN CAROLS," I thought of one of my 2020 Halloween-themed products titled. "The Pumpkin Choir" (totes as well as a note-card). They can be seen in the next two images to the right (respectively).

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR TOTE

THE PUMPKIN CHOIR NOTE-CARD

For your information, my photo of pumpkins caroling or ("The Pumpkin Choir") is included in volume two of my book series...

BOOK JACKET (FRONT) WIOB V2

PAGES 44 AND 45 WIOB V2

Words In Our Beak, in a section that describes how Halloween decor impacts the lives of wild birds. Information re the entire series (jackets pictured below) can be found by clicking here.

MY BOOK SERIES

I realize Halloween is twenty-one days from now and I don't like to rush the entrance of the holiday, but due to time needed for shipping (in the event you'd like to purchase items mentioned here), I thought it best to give a heads up now.

Halloween will be here in 2 weeks! Wednesday's Wisdom: Get your cards, invitations + gifts NOW!

They're baacccccck! A number of my annual Halloween "guests" (figurines)* have returned to my armoire for the upcoming 2018 holiday. You can see some them on the top shelf, where a bride and groom are in the midst of rehearsing for a vow renewal ceremony as the wedding-renewal party (surrounding them) oversees the event which is scheduled to take place on Halloween night.

The "folks" on the bottom shelf plan to attend the ceremony in their Halloween costumes and are currently comparing notes as to who is wearing the most ingenious costume.

And this is how my visitors are preparing for Halloween! What about you, dear reader? Do you have plans to send greetings to those near and dear to you or to host a soirée?

WEDNESDAY'S WISDOM for the indoor gardener (and other interested parties) . . .

In my past few blog posts, I have mentioned Halloween and I realize that I am beginning to sound a bit like Linus Van Pelt (Charlie Brown's buddy) and his constant talk of Halloween as he anticipated a visit from The Great Pumpkin! In my case, of course, I want my readers to take advantage of an opportunity to send Halloween cards that fold out into a picture which is suitable for framing designed by yours truly (to view them. please click here), but I have also wanted to share with you (using whatever wisdom I have left in me these days) my ideas on decorating your garden for this unique time of year before we roll over into the "W" word known as winter. If you'd like to refer to one of my posts regarding garden decor for Halloween, please click here.

However, since I am aware of the fact that some of my readers do not have outdoor space to use for gardens, and I don't want them to feel left out, today I will weigh in with ideas on how you might like to decorate any indoor succulent garden that you might have, such as Tony has. To read about his garden and to see related images please click here for the link to the post in which I wrote about his indoor succulent garden earlier this year.

Continuing the Halloween 2018 Countdown ... It's in 10 days!

One of my visitors (seen in the image above) is so amused by the faces of Jack-O-Lanterns that he's decided to wear one over his face during this pre-Halloween time! Now, that's dedication (or madness).

Central Park, TLLG, and Her Feathered "Friends" Honor Pumpkins!

Lunch Break

Yesterday, October 26th, was National Pumpkin Day, as I discussed in an entry here on TLLG's Blogger; but in terms of New York City (where I live and have my garden), today, October 27th, is the day to enjoy pumpkins. And the "powers that be" in Central Park are honoring the day with a special event, which I've tried COUNTLESS times to "announce" in an entry on tumblr as today, is Saturday, which is not part of my schedule here on Blogger! However, tumblr seems to be having technical difficulty; hence this non-scheduled post which I hope you enjoy! 

Central Park is close to where I live, and whenever there is an event taking place there, the flowers, grasses, herbs, plants, succulents, shrubs, trees and vines as well as the bees, butterflies and birds that visit us, get very excited and want to do something special here to show our appreciation for living so close to the park.

So in light of this, a few of my visiting birds (the mourning doves and finches) agreed to "pose" for photo-ops with one of  Jack-O-Lanterns who is in town for Halloween. (The other Jack-O-Lanterns which visit here can be seen in images rendered into Halloween cards.

It's MY Party and I'll LAUGH if I want to! 

Mourning Doves AGREE:
Jack-O-Lantern "COULDA" Flossed With Their Beaks!

PRIVATE JOKE 

FALL 2018 ADDENDUM: 

I no longer actively produce event program covers, invitations and the types of greeting cards described here or on my website but arrangements might be able to be made under certain circumstances. My focus is on the Words In Our Beak book series, pictured below...

WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

...whose stories are told from the point of view of Cam, a female cardinal, whose photo is on the cover of each book. Words In Our Beak’s goal is to open readers to a simple understanding of the winged world and their environment. Set in my rooftop garden in NYC,  Words In Our Beak is directed to children and adults who are curious about birds, and want to learn about them from a unique perspective. The books include hundreds of images of flora and fauna, links to movies, as well as to informative narratives that have been created by the author.

Please click here to go to my blog post that provides details as to where you can get these books.

Additionally, I have rendered some images from these books into other formats and they are available via Fine Art America (FAA). Some of my other photographs (Black & White Collection, Kaleidoscopic Images and the famous Mandarin duck who visited NYC) can also be found on my FAA pages.

SUMMER 2020 ADDENDUM: 

                             

"Never say never," the saying goes, and I suppose that applies to saying, "I no longer....," which I did in my 2018 addendum and now I'm here to announce at the advice of Chris Deatherage, my book series formatter, who is also my web-master (for patriciayoungquist.com) I soon will have some versions of the greeting cards that are referenced in this blog post available via FAA.

Halloween's in 11 Days! Prepare now!

My visitor (seen in the photo above) is having a her "trial run" of what she plans to do with her makeup for a pre-Halloween event that she will be attending.

WW* HALLOWEEN DECOR (SHOULD) BE FOR THE BIRDS! (*Wednesday's Wisdom)

In three weeks and one day's time from now, it will be Halloween, and this week's Wednesday's Wisdom is this: If you or anyone you know, puts up decor outside your home, please bear in mind, many decorations designed for this holiday can be detrimental to members of the avian community.

This is something I discussed in a 2018 blog post which you may reference by clicking here.

It is also a topic that is covered in volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak and the photo atop this entry features my Halloween figurines memorized by this aspect of the book.

THE WORDS IN OUR BEAK BOOK SERIES

Additionally, I have a great selection of Halloween cards that are created from my photographs.

The one seen in the image directly below is available via Fine Art America (FAA) and I'm very impressed with their print quality.

It is sized 5" by 7" and FAA produces them on digital offset printers using 100 lb paper that has a UV protectant. The image is semi-gloss and the inside of the card is matte and blank so one can write a message, but if you prefer, FAA can customize any text or message that you want to include.

A Jack-O-Lantern Birding

AVAILABLE VIA FAA

October will begin this Monday so it's probably not too early to get your Halloween cards to send to those near and dear to you. My card, House Finches Trick or Treating (seen in the image atop this entry), can be purchased via Fine Art America.

For your information, dear reader, it also makes a great invitation if you will be entertaining on Halloween. I personally think it should be called A Jack-O-Lantern Birding, but these male house finches who visited my rooftop garden would only sign a release for me to use their photo if I put their name in the title!

But my Jack-O-Lantern didn't mind, he gets such pleasure out of seeing these birds that letting them have their say in the card's title was a small price for the joy these creatures bring to him.

Besides, the Jack-O-Lantern is featured in volume two of my Words In Our Beak book series...

VOLUMES ONE AND TWO

...and he did ask that I let you know he can be found on page forty-five of that book as evidenced below.

SOME PAGES FROM VOLUME TWO

This particular volume includes the impact (positive and negative) certain Halloween decor can have on the well being of members of the avian community ...

SOME PAGES FROM VOLUME TWO

... and it might make a nice treat to give (in honor of Halloween) to anyone who has birds visiting their yard,

FALL 2018 ADDENDUM: 

Hardcover versions of Volume One, Two and Three can be found wherever books are sold.

MY BOOK SERIES

Please click here to go to my blog post that provides details as to where you can get these books. Additionally, I have rendered some images from these books into other formats and they are available via Fine Art America (FAA). Some of my other photographs (Black & White Collection, Kaleidoscopic Images and the famous Mandarin duck who visited NYC) can also be found on my FAA pages.

ADDENDUM SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2021:

When the third volume of the hard-cover version of Words In Our Beak was released, I withdrew from promoting my former versions of Words In Our Beak. 

The very first one is an iBook and went into Apple's book store in 2015.

This was followed by an ePub version...

..that is available on Amazon and was also published in 2015.

Subsequently, Words In Our Beak's digital versions were published as a soft-cover book (with slight variations) by MagCloud in 2017.

Its press release can be read by clicking here.  [The press release does note my Kindle version of the digital Words In Our Beak, but I withdrew it from Amazon a few years ago and at this time, I do not intend to make it live again.]

Now with the release of BIRD TALES....

... I've been advised to make mention of my early versions of volume one of Words In Our Beak, they do vary ever so slightly in content from the hard-cover version of volume one.

As of this addendum, I do not intend to create digital or soft-cover versions of Words In Our Beak Volume Two or Words In Our Beak Volume Three.