In case we need to find our way back

Clockwise from upper left:  younger daughter's "That Seventies Show" jack o' lantern (after an episode entitled "Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die"); Demeter's jack o' lantern (simple, to spare her arthritic hand); the Resident Fan Boy's Classic Who jack o' lantern (no, not a cyberman); mine, from the Art-Deco-inspired "Star Thrower" stencil from the kit.

As the year in our new - well, new to us - home starts the slow turn from autumn to autumn, we pound in the holidays like little pegs to guide us around again. We've had the first Thanksgiving, and now we're having the first Hallowe'en.

Nothing's guaranteed; we might not pass this way again. Still, we leave the signposts.

Artist and artisan

So I was heading up Cook Street this morning, and was startled to see this mural on the side of the dry-cleaners next to Wong Grocery.

How have I missed this? I asked myself, before noticing the painter on the scaffold.

I walked to the foot of the structure, and called up to the lovely young lady at work: "Was this always here, or have you just put it there?"

She gave me a dazzling smile. "I've just put it here! It's not done yet; I'll be adding to it!"

"Wow! And I'll be watching out for that!" I said, before marching on, as she wishes me a good day.

I think the figure is meant to be Chinese Canadian, although the hat that she's wearing looks a little like a Coast Salish cedar hat.

October in Victoria. I love it.