PUMPKINROT.COM: The Blog: the builders

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Signs Of The Builders In Salem

We were driving around at night in Salem heading to a really neat speakeasy called Deacon Giles and decided to take the long way. There were so many houses decorated for Halloween and we were pulling over to observe and savor them. It was a chilly night with a light rain on the way, so we wanted to get as much in as possible before settling in for some cocktails.

Up ahead we saw a beautiful orange glow coming from the most perfect house. Outlined in orange bulbs with jackos peering from every window, we parked and walked over to really enjoy the atmosphere of this inviting home. Off to the left side of the house we noticed some dark purple lighting and corn stalks. It was a patch of homemade scarecrows, growing in the dark crop of stalks. There was an animated scarecrow prop speaking words of doom. It was really spectacular. Overloaded with detail and truly spooky.

I was studying a large scarecrow in the back row when I noticed something familiar with his wooden arms and twined-up joints. This was the work of some creatures known as The Builders. It had to be. One scarecrow even had a red sepulcher carved out of its abdomen, but in this one a glowing red heart and not a candle. Over there was a droopy pumpkin-headed scarecrow... and over there was a headless one.

Embellishment aside, it was absolutely wonderful to see someone's yard inspired by my 2022 Haunt. It all looked incredible and had its own voice. We didn't want to leave. We walked back and forth, triggering the talking scarecrow way too many times. We studied every detail of this beautiful Halloween home.

As an aside, we drove to a local CVS to get some paper so we could leave a note letting them know how much we loved their display. Hopefully it didn't blow away in the rain.

Here are some photos and a really neat video.