It was Halloween night.
As I walked along the garden path, dry leaves crunching beneath my feet, I thought I heard the sounds of someone else walking through the garden. But when I stopped, I heard nothing.
Nearby an owl let out a screech.
I jumped at the sound and glanced quickly over my shoulder. I swear I saw something in the shadows, but I talked myself out of it. “There’s no one here but me,” I told myself.
Then I stood for a minute in the still night and glanced up at the full moon just as a shadow crossed over it.
I shivered and thought about turning back.
But I continued on, still hearing the footsteps, which now seemed more like something hopping.
Hop, hop, hoppity hop.
I stopped.
It stopped.
I started walking again, this time a little faster. Then I heard it again, and it seemed faster, too
Hop, hop, hoppity hop
I could feel my heart beating in my chest… beat, beat, beatity, beat.
For once, I wished I had brought a hoe with me, a hefty hoe, one that I could use to defend myself.
I continued walking and again glanced furtively back to see what might be in the garden with me. At that moment, a shadowy light came out of nowhere and brought it briefly into focus.
I gasp. I might have screamed.
Horror of horrors, and nightmare of all nightmares!
My garden was visited by the gigantic....
Halloween Hare!*
Run for your life!
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Posts from Halloweens Past:
'06 - Green Fingers
'07 - You Might Be A Gardening Geek: Halloween Edition
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*According to ancient gardening legend, the Halloween Hare hops from garden to garden on Halloween night looking for Easter candy not found in the spring Easter egg hunt. If the Halloween Hare doesn't find any candy, he will create a little havoc in the garden by pulling up plants or turning over containers. Many gardeners, hoping to avoid this mischief and havoc, will leave a few pieces of Halloween candy out in the garden for the Halloween Hare to find. Sightings of the Halloween Hare are rare.
Comments
Jen
Many burbanites around here find their visitations equally dreadful.
if you're not careful, he'll give you a scare!
Thanks for the laugh and I loved the pic.
Kathy