Happy Halloween

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

NOTE:  I’m posting this early because the option to schedule this post at my usual time… well, it just vanished. I guess it’s a Halloween “trick”… A treat would have been nice.

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Cat put nip in cauldron jackOlanterns by teagan via night cafe
Kitty adding catnip to her witch’s cauldron by Teagan via Night Cafe

Hello, everyone.  I loved Halloween — my favorite holiday. As a child it was the one day a year that I was allowed to dream, or to be someone other than myself.  That kind magical freedom stayed with the holiday as I grew up too.  So today I’m giving you a little bit of All Hallows Eve silliness. I also thank Luisa Zambrotta for inspiring me with challenges through the delightful forms of writing that she shares at her bilingual blog, Words, Music, and Stories. 

Happy Halloween!

Hepzibah stumbled upon a tattered old book.

An ancient tome, she thought would be a better term.

Putting her arms around the thick volume, she clutched it to her chest and hurried away.

Past the churchyard, past the schoolyard, past the market square.

Yammering merchants called out their goods in vain. 

.

Hepzibah didn’t even notice them or their hawking.

Away she scurried until she reached her secret hidey-hole.

Longingly she caressed the book’s wide spine.

Look inside, it seemed to whisper.

Open me!  The spell you seek is within my pages.

Wake the ancient magic?  Dare she?

Every day new threats came to the land.  Every night dangers walked.  “If ever there was a moment that I could bring the magic… it could surely be done on All Hallows—” she paused because the book rose up from her hands and opened itself.

“…Eve,” she finished in a gasp as colored light swirled up from the ancient pages.  “The magic is happening…

Now!”

The end.

blue magic streams from old book, by Teagan via Night Cafe

 

Thanks for reading. Have a magical weekend.  Friendly comments are welcome. Happy Halloween — and Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

Here’s the obligatory shameless self-promotion

A Peril in Frequencies cover 09-02-2026 small

It’s on sale for one more weekend.

A Peril in Unseen Frequencies

Universal Purchase Links

Kindle:  relinks.me/B0HKPZ7TH4

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0HKTFCD8Z

Virtual Voice Audiobook:  relinks.me/B0HKNDVYDM

A Medium’s Peril full series link: relinks.me/B0CG2SXX24

This blog is entirely human-written.  Furthermore, the author expressly prohibits any entity from using this publication for purposes of training AI technologies to generate text.  No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author, or used with permission, or from free sources.

Copyright © 2026 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

53 thoughts on “Happy Halloween”

  7. Pingback: Me and the Oxford Comma — SoCS – No Facilities

  9. Now that is the best ..acrostic?… I’ve ever read. I love it, Teagan. Thank you!

    Yes, Luisa is fabulous.

    Happy Hallowe’en to you and the Scoobies. HH (Halloween Hugs) 🎃🌹

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  10. Teagan, what a delightful way to celebrate Halloween. I loved discovering that Hepzibah’s story was an acrostic. You make these little writing challenges feel so playful, and somehow a tattered old book becoming magical seems perfect. I can understand completely how Halloween gave you permission, as a child, to dream and be someone other than yourself. I think that is why imagination feels so at home at this time of year. Sending many Happy Halloween hugs on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies.

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      1. Happy Halloween to you. 🎃. I’m ready for kids. Have full-size candy bars this year and rice crispy treats for those who can’t eat chocolate, nuts, or peanut butter.

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  15. Fun story! I hope she finds the book does magic spells for good, not bad. I could feel her excitement when she found it in the market place. Wishing you and the Scoobies a super Saturday Halloween 🙂

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  16. The perfect post for Halloween, Teagan. I remember those days of dressing up as my favorite characters. For several years, I got to hang out with older kids because my older brother had to take me with him.

    I hope you have a great weekend. Give a scritch to the Scoobies.

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  22. Thank you so much, dearest Teagan!

    Your beautiful words about my blog truly touched my heart! What a wonderful Halloween treat.

    Hepzibah’s story is absolutely magical, and I love the spooky atmosphere you created!

    Wishing you a fantastic sale weekend for A Peril in Unseen Frequencies and a truly magical Halloween!

    Huge hugs! 🎃

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