Halloween Web - Bob Johns

For the people that may not know you, tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Bob and I blog over at It Came From the Man Cave!

What was Halloween like in your neighborhood as a kid?

I remember so many great things. I'm pretty lucky to live in the small rural town LaSalle, Illinois. LaSalle is the type of town where everybody know's everybody so one thing that will always stick out in my mind would be how the dad's would walk us through the neighborhood with their beer steins and getting refills along the way. That is one tradition I wish still existed. We had a lot of neighborhood kids around us too so our group was huge and we would stay out the whole time no matter how cold or wet we got.

Do you have a particularly fond/funny/scary Halloween memory?

It would have to be the year I was so proud of myself for watching the Night of the Living Dead. I was young and already into monster movies thanks to my mom. (She also introduced me to Svengoolie back in the 70's) When I was talking to my parents about how cool that movie was my mom told me how the Birds was the only movie that scared her. We guess what was on that Halloween night? Yep, up in my room all alone watching the Birds and you know something it did scare the crap out of me but in a new way. Those two movies set a tradition into play that will be with me for the rest of my life. (Thanks, Mom)

Any favorite costumes from Halloweens past?

Boy, I wish I had a photo still of the year my mom made us customs. It was during the Star Wars craze! My Sister was Princess Lea I was Luke (I wanted to be Han Solo) and my little brother was R2-D2. R2 was made out of a pillowcase with felt on it making him look perfect! We won the family contest costume contest that year and our little R2 unit one best of show for his age group. It was great! I've sent along a few photos of my kids in homemade costumes, which I think is a lost art these days.

What do you do to celebrate now, out in the real world?

It is all about the season in this household, we live real close to Starve Rock State Park. We always make time to visit the fall colors and hit up a pumpkin patch. It's a month-long celebration. Just like doing the Countdown to Halloween blog hop. As a family, we do cram in as much as we can, this year we have already broken out the Halloween mix CD's in late September.

Do you have any yearly rituals?

Our town hosts a Jazz in the streets fest early September. As a family this is the kick off to Autumn for us. During this festival, we get to dive into the fall flavors enjoy great music outside and in our minds it's a kick off to our favorite time of the year.

One of the things for me is placing the Halloween mix cd's that I have made over the years in the car. Some people will listen to Christmas music all year well for me Halloween style music and Horror movie soundtracks get popped in from time to time. And on October 1st that will be the only music in my car. Not to mention throughout the house. Horror movies are a big part of my life and my blog. Like most I will watch Halloween at some point along with The Night of The Living Dead. This year I'm going to try and squeeze in a few that I have been trying to see for years.

What do you think it is about Halloween that keeps it in our hearts as we get older?

Like the other big Holiday, it is the memories that you cherish growing up. Talking about the "Good old Days" knowing what house give out the full-size candy bars and comic books. It's such a magical time you get to be somebody else for a day hanging out with your friends trading candy. Also, it is the sights, the sounds, and the smells of the season that are so wonderful! Now as a parent it is my job to just be me and watch my kids enjoy the season and make memories for themselves. Also in this house Halloween it is such an important day it's the day that my wife and I were married. Talk about a magical day!

Inside the Spookster's Studio

The worst thing to get while trick or treating was Money! Yeah, remember the whole razor blade scare? I do, that year all the older folks gave out pennies and nickels ugh!

My favorite thing to get was Almond Joy and Baseball cards, man the 80's rocked. Nobody hands out Baseball cards anymore. And comic books why is that? We still hand them out from time to time.

Thanks for joining the festivities this year! Where can people find you online?

Thanks, Dex and good luck with your posts. Such a great Idea to read how Halloween has affected many of us and how it changes from location to location. I love it!

I will post from time to time on Twitter and Instagram. But for me it is blogging, the Countdown to Halloween this year is going to be more personal (I Hope) than years past. I have really grown my blog the past year so make sure to stop by It Came From the Man Cave!

Don't forget to grab today's audio mix before you trick or treat your way through all the houses doing the Countdown to Halloween!

Unintentionally Creepiest