Halloween Music And A Homecoming

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Sherri Matthews

In February, we put our house up for sale.  Nine months later and four weeks at the Goose Farm, we moved into our new home last week.

For five of those weeks, my cat Eddie had to stay in a cattery.  The owner there could not have been kinder and more lovely.  She made sure my boy, who is eleven years old and has never been away from home before, was well looked after.   I visited regularly which helped, although it broke my heart as time went on having to say goodbye to the sound of his plaintive meows.

I collected him yesterday, and as you can see, he’s already settling in on his familiar spot…and a quiet Halloween for him this year…

Thank you again to all of you who have shown such amazing support for the Flash Fiction Rodeo running at Carrot Ranch.  I was thrilled to host my Murderous Musings contest last week. For those of you sitting on the fence, you still have until EST 11:59pm tonight to enter! Judges Hugh Mike and I can’t wait to read all your deliciously devious entries.

I’ll reblog Charli’s Ultimate Flash Fiction Challenge after this.  Her final Contest #8 at the Rodeo is a corker.

Sharing emails about the contest (and again, thanks so much to Hugh and Charli for stepping in at the Ranch while I was otherwise assailed by packing boxes), I let Hugh know we had moved. I told him about a photo I had taken on the last day as I stood at the top of the stairs for a moment, wrapped in the silence a house holds in that strange space between hello and goodbye.

Sunshine blazed into the hallway below through the partly open front door.  Minutes after I took this photo, we walked outside, handed over the keys to the new owners and drove away, not looking back. I promised Hugh I would post the photo to mark the beginning of a new chapter…

And that was that.  Now to new things and hopefully some kind of blogging and writing through the unpacking madness, ha.

Meanwhile, here’s a special treat for you: A fantastic collaboration on the Halloween Theme song between two of my favourite and talented musicians, Liam John Norton and Nick Estrada.  I’ve shared Nick’s music here from time to time.  That’s him (yep, my boy…!) on guitars.  Enjoy…

Happy Halloween!

 

About Sherri Matthews

Sherri is a British writer working on her second memoir while seeking publication of her first. Her work has appeared in magazines, anthologies and online as well as long/shortlisted and special mentioned in contests. Once upon a time and for twenty years, she lived in California. Today, she lives in England with her human family, owned by two black cats.
This entry was posted in Flash Fiction, Halloween, Music and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

61 Responses to Halloween Music And A Homecoming

  1. thecontentedcrafter says:
    October 31, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Hello Sherri ❤ I think that is a marvelous photo – to me it speaks of walking out that door into the bright light of a new beginning! Happy days!! xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Aww, thanks so much Pauline! It was one of those moments that caught me off guard and then hit me when I looked at the photo later. I’m so ready for those bright, happy days! See you soon my friend 🙂 ❤ xoxo

      Like

      Reply
  2. TanGental says:
    October 31, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    great to here you’ve moved at last! Btw I can’t find the link to the music which may just be me…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Judy E Martin says:
    October 31, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    Good luck in your new home Sherri. How lovely that you have Eddie back with you now too, he looks very comfy!

    Loving the Halloween music too! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. jennypellett says:
    October 31, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    Be happy in your new home Sherri! Happy Halloween too 🎃🎃🎃

    Like

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      Ahh dear Jenny…it’s surreal! What a year…now to start over. Thanks so much for your lovely wishes. I hope you had a Happy Halloween too! We had a very quiet one, but I do have my black cat by my side, Halloween or not 😉 ❤

      Like

      Reply
  5. delphini510 says:
    October 31, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Congratulations Sherri!😊🍾 . How wonderful you can now start afresh. I love your exit picture with the light waiting for you. Here is to wishing you all happiness and renewed strength for your writing. 🌈⭐️💕
    miriam

    Like

    Reply
  6. Mary Smith says:
    October 31, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Great to hear you’ve moved into your new home. I hope you have many happy years there – and that you have a summerhouse. Loved your farewell photo of your old home. A shiny new beginning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    October 31, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Happy Halloween Sherri and wishing you much happiness in your new home. Xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks so much Marje, and I hope you had a Happy Halloween too! We had quiet one as we didn’t have time to do anything, but I told the kids who turned up at our door to come back next year and we’ll definitely have the works! Thankfully this time, I at least had a bag of sweets to hand! 🙂 xxx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Luanne says:
    October 31, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    Enjoy your new home. So glad your sweetie pie gets to be home now. So hard on a kitty to be away from home.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 2:16 pm

      Hi Luanne! Aww…thanks so much and yes, I knew you would be happy to see my sweet boy back home again. Oh I missed him so much, tears more than once, that part was sooooo hard. I couldn’t bare it…but it was our only choice. He’s by my side cuddled up on a blanket as I type this…the best feeling ever! xoxo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Luanne says:
        November 2, 2017 at 2:17 pm

        AWWWWWWW is right! Sweet boy! He needs his mama!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • Sherri Matthews says:
          November 2, 2017 at 2:44 pm

          He’s been following me around everywhere, meowing if I’m out of sight, but getting used to the new place so long as he’s right next to me! I’m not letting him outside yet, but he wants to explore! It’s cold today, so thankfully he’s happy to say inside, all cosy and warm!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          • Luanne says:
            November 2, 2017 at 6:38 pm

            No cats outside here at all. We have too many dangers. In fact, when I found Perry, my newest, I messaged people on a neighborhood group and people said that there are no cats outside in our extended neighborhood because any that were outside were eaten by the coyotes! We also have a huge bobcat. I will say that while they don’t get as much stimulation, they don’t really seem to miss it, and I always know where they are. And right now you know your baby is right next to you! It makes my heart happy that he’s back with you!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  9. Denise says:
    November 1, 2017 at 7:25 am

    So pleased for you! Great welcoming picture with the flash of sunlight and nice to know you are all together againxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. shehannemoore says:
    November 1, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    Now look at that. Hope you have opened the wine xxxxxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Heyjude says:
    November 1, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    Glad to hear you have moved at last. Wishing you a happy life in your new abode and hopefully you will have time to come back to the blog world again with more tales from the summerhouse.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 2:10 pm

      Hi Jude! Phew…we didn’t exchange until three days before completion after all that. I’m having a hard time letting the stress go, but then again, you know only too well what it’s like in the aftermath with so much to do other than merely unpacking. But we’re in, hooray and so very grateful and relieved. I very much look forward to getting back to ‘normal’ blogging, albeit in bursts, and my long-promised visits too. The Summerhouse might only be virtual for now, but it’s still going…just!!! Lovely to hear from you my friend 🙂 xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Allie P. says:
    November 2, 2017 at 1:52 am

    Welcome to your new home!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. dgkaye says:
    November 2, 2017 at 3:44 am

    Oh Sher, what a fabulous shot you got of the door and the sunlight. You must frame that one and hang it in your new home. New beginnings, onward and upward my friend. Welcome home ❤ xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. Hugh's Views and News says:
    November 2, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    So pleased you shared that photo of the open door, Sherri. It’s more than I ever expected when you told me about it. A new beginning has begun for you all and it’s going to be full of sunshine, warmth and light. Hope you’re settling in (just like Eddie has).
    Hugs to you.
    xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      You inspired me to share it Hugh…I didn’t notice just how much warm light shone through until I looked at it again, and I knew then it was a sign of new beginnings in so many ways. Eddie is snuggled by my side on the sofa as I type this, so you could say we’re both settling in quite well 😉 Thanks so much Hugh and hugs back to you as always… xxx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Jill Weatherholt says:
    November 2, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    Eddie looks very content. So happy you’re home, Sherri! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 7, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      Aww, thanks so much dear Jilly B 🙂 Apologies for my late reply…wouldn't you know it just when I finally get my internet sorted, I get laptop problems…! All sorted now though. Just need to plough through the unpacking…! Hope all is well with you my friend ❤

      Like

      Reply
  16. Charli Mills says:
    November 2, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Ah, Sherri, I hope this day finds you feeling settled in a new favorite spot, just like Eddie. What a magnificent photo, your ending that opened to a new beginning. Not only did you move, you incited murderous writings at the Ranch. What a true Cowgirl! Love hearing Liam and Nicky’s music!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. insearchofitall says:
    November 3, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    I’m so glad to see you have your move done with and Eddie is back home with you. I’m quite far behind in my reading and have read no flash fiction. Soon I hope. Things are a little off the rails here too. Love the photo of the doorway. Unpacking is easier than the packing so you can take your time putting it all where you want it to go. I never want to move again. I’m not sure I remember what made you decide to move in the first place. I’ll try to catch up with you soon. Giant hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 7, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      Thanks so much Marlene, it is a huge relief, but you know too well the huge task of unpacking and settling in, and all the other ‘stuff’ that needs to be done…but it is easier than the other end, for sure. It’s nice finding new homes for everything, makes it all seem fresh again. Sorry to hear things are off the rails your neck of the woods – I will be over very soon to check in on you. Hope you’re okay. Wouldn’t you know it, no sooner I get my internet issues sorted, then I ran into laptop issues, hence my late reply, so sorry. Sorted now…just need to catch up, as always. We moved to find a place with an annex for Mum, but like you, the thought of moving again sends shivers down my spine. Time for some stablility for us both. See you soon my friend…huge hugs back ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Sarah Brentyn says:
    November 4, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    Happy to see Eddie settled in. Hopefully you will be soon, as well. ❤ What a beautiful, bittersweet photo of the door. Endings and beginnings. Love it. Hugs to you, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. Andrea Stephenson says:
    November 5, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    First, I’ve always loved the Halloween theme song and this is a great version! Congratulations on finally completing your house move, it must be great to be settling in and to have all the members of the family home! Good luck in your new home and I hope it opens lots of new doors to creativity and fulfilment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 7, 2017 at 5:11 pm

      Me too Andrea, and I love the boys’ version – thanks so much for listening, they’ll be chuffed when I tell them 🙂 Oh I will hold your lovely message close to my heart, and how I long for creativity and fulfilment to flow. It is wonderful to settle in at last after so much transition most of this year, so ready to settle in now ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. anotherday2paradise says:
    November 8, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    Dear Eddie does look very content in his chosen spot. Congratulations on your new home, Sherri. I wish you much joy and many happy memory-making moments. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sherri Matthews says:
      November 8, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      Hi Sylvia! What timing, I just went on FB for the first time in ages to quickly catch up and found and commented on your’s and hubby’s beautiful profile pic. Then, just quickly checking in on my blog before turning off my laptop. found your lovely message! We are so happy to be in our new home at last…and I know you know that feeling so well 😉 Thank you my lovely friend ❤ xxx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. prior.. says:
    December 13, 2017 at 7:38 am

    new chapter indeed….. and what a cool photo
    sending hugs your way and ttys

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Lovely to chat...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.