Thursday, August 19, 2010

Four Thousand

4,000 blog posts. And no intention of stopping any time soon.

Figured I'd post a pic of my Pumpkinrot scarecrow for the occasion. It's funny, the name Pumpkinrot was around long before I built him. And when I decided to enter a scarecrow into the annual contest, I submitted a description of him (per the instructions of the application) and was stumped when I had to write his name. I labored over a name. Didn't have a clue what to call him.

I had used pumpkinrot for years for my email address, and happened to look up at my inbox while struggling with his name. And it clicked.
The Pumpkinrot Scarecrow.

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My site came about in 2003 when I was posting photos to show family, friends, and coworkers photos of my Halloween display. Pumpkinrot.com seemed the perfect name for it. And the blog.

Maintaining the blog has been such a cool way to keep Halloween going every day. It makes me think back to the day when I did my blog updates through my website. I made a page using dreamweaver and I'd delete all of its content the day after each year's Halloween, to start fresh each new year. I think I did that for three whole years of photos and links. What was I thinking?

But looking forward... No end in sight. I keep thinking the Halloween blog-material well will run dry at some point, but there's always something neat out there, and a whole lot of cool people who love Halloween and all things Dark.

Halloween. It's so close now. Can't wait for the weather to break. For the trees to change. For decorations and pumpkins to appear in windows and on porches.

Halloween. The BEST thing ever.

And it's going to be a really neat year.

36 comments:

ShellHawk said...

Amen!

I'm so glad you stuck with it this long! You give us all inspriation, every day, and you also raise the bar on cool, non-animatronic props. If I can convey this in a totally non-creepy-stalker way, you've really changed my life.

Thanks, Rot. You rock!

Rot said...

Hey, thanks : )

(totally not stalker-ish)

Rev. Dr. said...

If I could "LIKE" this post, I would. I've read this blog for a while. Keep up the good work. And I agree with ShellHawk.. it's an inspiration. I look at these pictures and only dream of someday being able to do what you do.

Anonymous said...

Keep it up..I love it!

Every morning I step outside waiting for that feeling that there has been a change in the winds..I am in PA as well so I am hoping it will happen in next few weeks!

Vintage Seance said...

Congrats! I also can't wait for the whole beautiful season to come about. Your blog is inspirational and always amazing so keep posting Halloween goodness! Enjoy this Halloween and all the fun that comes with it!

Jon said...

I second ShellHawk's comments. Thanks for this site. It's a source of great inspiration (and occasional mental refuge).

If I can convey this in a totally stalker way, I CAN SEE YOU RIGHT NOW.

Rot said...

HA!!!

And thanks so much, everyone.
I really appreciate it.

It's like a nice little Halloween party.

Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...

Sorry I am late to the party.

That is typical for me. :)

I have to say thank to, definately the inspiration for me blogging and for prop building.

I really cannot and don't want to imagine the blog/haunt world without you.

Thanks to both you and Bean for everything you stand for to us haunters.

Lots of love...it that totaly stalker kind of way :D

Cheers!

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

I hope this isn't stalkerish either, but I love your blog. I check in several times a day to see what neat things you've posted. I can't haunt my house the way I used to because of my little girls, but I don't have to anymore because of Pumpkinrot. Congratulations on 4000, and here's to 4000 more.

Aron said...

You keep the rest of us going all year when the rest of the world is thinking about Presents, Easter Eggs, and Firecrackers. I can't thank you enough for keeping the Jack-o-Lantern lit all year 'round!!!

JHMDF said...

Been checking out the page almost every day for a few years now and I plan on doing it until you stop. Your work is very much respected.

Steve Ring said...

All hail the King of Halloween!!!

Steve Ring said...

Oops! and the Queen, too...

Doc said...

(lurker here!)
Rot, ever since I discovered your blog early last year I've been a devoted and nearly daily reader. I often stop by if I am in need of a mental pickmeup. You know, your photos, links and descriptions provide such inspiration and joy to us all.

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate you keeping the Pumpkinrot blog alive. I really look forward to reading it for long to come!

May this impending autumn season be filled with mouldering leaves underfoot, woodsmoke in the chill air, a decent Martha Stewart Halloween edition, flickering candles and plenty of musty old pumpkins. ;)

Jason-v said...

I agree!!! I have looked at your site everyday for the past 3-4 years when i saw your banner in your sig when you were posting at CGP with Terry.

You have given me lots of inspiration.. and while on the subject do you still have that pic that you photoshopped of sleepy hollow with the horseman using terrys headless mask. If i remember you had two pictures, one with the horseman putting the headless mask on, and one with ichabod and horseman with the tree of the dead in the back?? If so post them!!

Sara said...

Congrats on such a successful blog! :) SO HAPPY I found this site. Thanks for giving so much time to it.

Anonymous said...

In agreement with everybody else. I have always loved Halloween for as long as I can remember. I have only done the decorating inside my house but never did anything outside but a few lights. Your site ended up giving me that big extra push to start doing things outside!
Thanks for the inspiration (now that my neighbors think I am evil and insane) and I'm sure you got at least another 4,000 more to go!

( Yes, I am stalking you, I'll admit it.....HAHAHAHA! Soon you both will be mine! >:)

Anonymous said...

I can't remember how I found your blog.
I check your blog every am first thing...I really enjoy reading it and looking at the pictures.
I am scared that you won't update it...for a long time...and then you and Bean will go away...you'll leave the internet a very cold, sad place.
Thanks Mr. Rot! Please keep Halloween in your perspective alive for a very long time!

Christina said...

I LOVE your blog..please don't ever stop :) I've read it from beginning to end and it is awesome! I love all the pics and inspiration. I'm so glad I found this place :)

The weather here in Vancouver is cloudy, drizzly and super chilly right now. The high on Saturday is only supposed to go up to 14 (58 degrees). we just got over a massive heatwave so this weather is amazing and very fall like.

MoridMariah said...

I too would like to jump on ShellHawk's bandwagon. :) Your site and your work is fabulous. And it really helps me to keep that Halloween Buzz going. You keep blogging, and we'll all keep on following!

Rot said...

Wow. Really REALLY can't thank you guys enough.

Really.

Unknown said...

Keep up the great work! Both of you :)
Even my kids enjoy looking at your work!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you have no intention of stopping because you are one of the bloggers that is essential for Operation: Save LJ's Sanity the the other 364 days of the year!

NoahFentz said...

I can remember when PerfesserEvil(I think) first posted your link to the Halloween-l List back in 2003. I thought every haunter was on the List but here was this hidden treasure out there in the Halloween world. Cool name, amazing photography, earthy props, Halloween lover...I found myself going back to your website viewing and enlarging each photo, disecting...Each year got better. Not to mention the scarecrows.

AND then you came out with your blog....

its ALIVE! ITS ALIVE!!

K.O. said...

CONGRATULATIONS on 4000 posts!!!! Wow, that is truly an accomplishment. Keep 'em coming!
And you know what? Your blog IS a "way to keep Halloween going every day"--for all of US too. Thank you for that.

Mr. Chicken said...

nothing new being said here, but I'm so glad you've kept with it so long and so consistently! I make a point of checking in every day to see what's new. Your passion for Halloween and appreciation for all things October are really inspiring.

Here's to another 4,000!

Rot said...

Thanks so much.

The coolest blog readers in the world. : )

Autumnleaf said...

Thank you Rot and Bean for a great inspirational blog....I too check in every day to see what is posted. May you have 4,000 more!!!

ps...how's your pumpkin growing?

Rot said...

We have some promising pumpkins in the garden. Two gourds have gotten really large, and we have a few pumpkins that look like they're going to make it. A damned squirrel took a bite out of one of our smaller pumpkins - it had already started to turn orange.
(so we bought some stuff to keep critters away)
I'll have to take photos this weekend.

Josh said...

Thanks so much for this great blog, and all the inspiring work that goes into it.

Anything that can keep my in the Halloween spirit year round is a wonderful thing.

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the party, too, but you and Bean are my King and Queen of Halloween. And like so many others, your blog is how I start off my day every day.

<3 Totally and stalkerishly <3

Jerry said...

Congratulations on turning 4000! This blog and your creepy works of art (one of which I will own one day) are simply amazing and inspirational. You help us celebrate Halloween 365 days a year, and for we are eternally grateful.

amy said...

I start and end my day, every day, with checking your blog. THANK YOU -amy

RebelShade said...

Rot, I believe the reason we all love your blog so much is that you are so in tune with the magic of halloween. The details... It alows us maybe just for moments a day to "visit" halloween. You always capture the minute things that make halloween what it is and dust our days with it. Thank you for that :)

The Gill-Man said...

Well, let me just throw my congrats in as well! I first discovered your website, then later your blog. If I miss a day, then I have to go back and catch up on what I missed. In the words of Alice Cooper, you are "keeping Halloween alive, 365", which is great for all of us Autumn people. By reading your blog I get my Halloween "fix" on all of those less exciting days of the year! Thanks for keeping it going, Rot! We all appreciate it!

Arcane said...

4000! So cool!

When I think of Halloween, I think of Pumpkinrot and vice versa. This is my favorite website and blog by far. I sincerely wish you continued success of your blog and with all things Halloween. Keep up your amazing work and the continual inspiration Rot!