My Nightmares

This time of year I start having nightmares.

The nightmares I have are not typical. I do not dream of falling, or being chased. I never dream of monsters "getting" me, or being unable to scream or run. My nightmares are different. I wake up in a panic, clammy and upset, thinking I have missed Halloween.

My life always seems to get out of control in autumn, and it is reflected in my dreams. There is so much going on in the fall, that I often dream that I've slept right through Halloween. Sometimes I wake up screaming "Noooo!" and punching my pillow.

That is why, this year, I have broken my tradition of waiting until October 1st to start unpacking my Rubbermaid containers. I started last night! I have seven Rubbermaids packed full of severed heads, arms, hands and feet, candles, skeletons, skulls, spiders, animated gravestones, one real gravestone, and various other creepy goodies. In fact, I have so much Halloween stuff (most of it impossible to buy anymore) that I had to photograph and document everything for my insurance company.

This year I've planned something huge. I'm so worried about pulling off the Zombie Walk that I'm starting to have these nightmares again. I think that if I can get the house decorated before Thanksgiving (October 10th here in Canada), I'll be in a good place mentally, and the frightening dreams will stop.

And if I'm really lucky, I'll start dreaming of happy, calming things again, like my collection of severed heads on pikes.