Wednesday Potpourri - Halloween Story and Award

Tipper of Blind Pig and the Acorns is doing a Halloween series "Spooky October" which I am sharing a true story from my past. You can check out the stories at the above link.

The Green Man of Koppel, PA

There are local legends that don't die but what do you do when you come face to face with the legend. The Green Man of Koppel is now a legend but in my day he was a real person. Koppel is a crossroads town on route 18 between New Castle and Beaver Falls, PA. The story goes that the Green Man was cutting trees for the electric company with his brother and accidentally touched an electric line. That accident had blown off his face. He had no nose, lips or hair from the tragic accident so he did look grotesque. They wanted him to come to the theater in New Castle at Halloween time but he had said no. He walked the back roads so as not to be seen. The kids of that day would do him no harm, certainly a different age then today.

The road that went out into the countryside at the red light was a two lane that was always foggy when I went there. I guess the fog was there to make it possible for the Green Man to hide as cars approach. It was October and the Halloween spirit was starting to soar. I was old enough to drive and had told my future wife that we would drive my 56 Chevy down to see the Green Man. I thought it would be a fun trip and would be exciting for her. I had been there several times and had only seen him once in a fleeting way. I didn't have high hopes of an encounter but kids in a car out for a ride was something we did. Well we drove back the country road for several miles without seeing anything. We weaved back and forth getting further into the valley. We then turned around and started back. As we came around a bend, there he was on the side of the road. The headlights had given him an eerie glow as the Green Man faded into the underbrush. You couldn't make out any facial features but you knew you had seen him. It is now just a memory of the Green Man from my past. Did we really see him, why yes. I was there and had accomplished my mission to show him to my girl. It made some great Halloween stories later in that year. I had an encounter with the Green Man. He lived 20 more years and the legend still exist today. The kids of today will never get the thrill of coming around a bend and seeing the Green Man of Koppel, PA.

My Friend Pietro Brosio of Turin, Italy gave me an award. Pietro is an artist and produced this award himself. I am happy to get it and pass it on to a few of my friends. It is for people who are nice to you on your blog. All the people are so nice who come to my site but here are a few I'll list.

Mac from England - We share a special bond though separated by miles.

Tom from England - Friends for a while now and a mentor from SWF.

Joan from South Africa - Yes, that Bug Lady.

Craig from Florida - A really neat guy with a neat story running now.

Craver Vii from Illinois - Sometimes the funnest remarks on my site.

I could go on and on with the nice people that visit but I'll stop here.

What Is It XXXVI - Answers

#1 is the Lions Club lion getting ready for the parade. There were a lot of good guesses. Getting the lion was tough so got the stuffed animal ear. Craig started out with Curious George a and Tipper said a stuffed animal ear which was the closest we got. Craig is doing a story about his African trip to see the Bug Lady. #2 Was the tail feathers from the Wild Turkeys I saw the other day. Tipper aced it with Turkey feathers. Tipper has just done a story on the movable wall honoring the fallen soldiers.

#3 Is a Chipmunk's tail that sat on my deck rail. I've been trying to lure a Black Squirrel in but have only got the Chipmunks to come up to feed. Bro came through with the Chipmunks tail, Bro is my Brother-in-law from Texas and he needs to get a web site, he is a good photographer.

I'm glad you all had fun again this week.

What Is It XXXVI

My World is directly below.

#1 If you just listen to me you might get this one. #2 What to you think this is?

#3 I certainly hope this one isn't too hard. Make sure it doesn't crawl away.

This is one you can have fun with.

My World - Year #2 - Episode #1

This is my posting for the My World Meme. It is hosted by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Louise and myself. Won't you join in, I want to see where you live and thrive. Go see the new layout at the My World site.

Something new for me, my wife wanted me to drive in the Kent State Homecoming Parade. I'm usually on the lake fishing. My Granddaughter took the photo of me in the Don Joseph Toyota truck. The Toyota Dealership supplied my wife the truck and trailer for the parade. The students spent their time to decorate it.
My wife runs the EXCEL program at the school, it is for the undeclared students to help them find a major for their college career choice. She has a great group of students to advise.

We were in the located in the middle of the parade and passed the Kent band getting ready to march. Do you think the leaders noticed the photographer/driver? I was going 5 MPH at the time.

It was cool and cloudy as we travelled Main Street. Sometimes the marchers got in front. Tradition is to throw candy to the children. My grandson was the hit of the students and rode most of the parade and threw candy from his hat. My wife's design for the shirt on the back, (Got Major?). Do you get it?

Kent lost the game by one point, sad ending to a great parade.

Today's Flowers # 61

My friend Luiz from Brazil does the Today's Flowers Meme, check it out. Come and join with your flower photos. Sunday at 2 GMT is the post time.

I thought I would show you my neighbors roses before he cut them back for the Winter. We had a heavy frost today. This is a salmon colored one that is just beautiful.
This one is a vibrant yellow and puts on quite the show.

You can see a lot of great flowers above.

Camera Critters # 79

Camera Critters by Misty Dawn, go here to see who's participating.

I had a lucky encounter yesterday and found a group of Wild Turkey in an open field. Since I have my camera with me most of the time, I was able to get several photos of the flock before they left. There were three gobblers trying to strut their stuff.
The gobblers were having a lot of fun while the females were feeding.
It was a fun encounter and I was happy to be a part of the action.