When I was a wee one, the kids in my neighbourhood and I were convinced that an old woman that lived at the end of the alleyway we played in was a witch. She was slightly hunched over, never smiled, had glassy eyes and always dressed in black. Whenever we’d see her, we would exclaim “there’s the witch!” Softly, of course. Because we were afraid that she’d hear and cast some spell. Or cook one of us in her child-sized cauldron. Kids and their imaginations.
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| When I was a child, there was a witch living at the end of this alleyway. |
On my recent trip to my hometown of Montreal, I strolled through the alleyway I used to play in and the memory of the witch came to mind. Made me laugh out loud. I snapped a few photos of the witch’s home for nostalgia’s sake, and to share with you. She lived in the white building straight ahead. I believe it was on the top floor. Up high where she could have a better view of us.
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| It would have freaked me out if an old woman dressed in black had stepped out onto the balcony. |
Anyhow, this week has been busy. I’ve gone mad once again and picked up a paintbrush.
Last time I tackled our teeny tiny bathroom; this time I’m tackling the playroom in our basement. I’ve broken it down into stages, so I don’t get overwhelmed. Or frustrated and fed up. So far things are going okay. I’m playing music while I paint. Songs from the 80s. Which make me feel young and more energetic. Until I'm done. Then I feel sore and beaten down, and just how middle-aged I am.
And that’s it, folks. Another week comes to an end and I hope it was good to you. Here’s a fun video that will put a ‘smile’ on your face.
A wonderful weekend to all of you!
First I love how you took the staircase with its shadow, it's jazzy and of course a shadow might be where the witch were. I lived in Montreal (North side) so witch Free...and you always leave me with a smile on my face, thanks so much for sharing, especially your childhood Trauma LOL
ReplyDeleteWell, at least it was a fun childhood trauma! Haha... Poor old woman was just someone's grandmother, really. But we were never mean to her. Just let our imaginations run wild.
DeleteYou have inspired me Martha, yet again, to visit a couple of my old neighbourhoods and mosey around with my camera.
ReplyDeleteWe had a in our neighbourhood who we were very afraid of and he hated kids!!
Have a great weekend and rest up after all that painting!!
It's always fun to visit old neighbourhoods later in life. It brings back so many wonderful memories.
DeleteToo cool.....boxes have s&X.....oh my!!!!! We had a witch too across the street and I grew to love her over the years!!
ReplyDeleteThnaks for the laughs!!
oops Thanks!!
Ron
That's how little boxes are made! :)
DeleteWitches can be very loveable as you found out. And I bet the witch in our neighbourhood was just a sweet grandma.
it's funny when you those face things in person by accident
ReplyDeleteIt sure is!
DeleteI miss my old neighborhood! I haven't been in ages! I love that spiral staircase by the way.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to walk the streets of old neighbourhoods. Brings back memories and stirs emotions!
DeleteWOW that witch was fancy schmancy with that spiral staircase. Guess she could use that if her broom stick broke down.
ReplyDeleteShe sure could, although it must have been hard for that poor old lady to go up and down the stairs.
DeleteFun video, thanks for sharing. And nice to reminisce on the past especially with those photos. Happy house painting, it's something I tend to put off.
ReplyDeleteI've been putting off the painting for almost five years, so decided that it's time! Believe me, I'd rather be doing something else.
DeleteThat spiral staircase would fit a witch's house perfectly! I need to visit some of my old haunts and take photos. I took so much for granted when I lived there. Good luck with the painting!
ReplyDeleteThis trip was just wonderful. Walking down those streets and reminiscing was one of the best things I've done this year.
DeleteThat's quite the unusual witch hangout -- who knew they lived in stylish condos? :) Happy painting Martha!
ReplyDeleteThey need to blend in so we don't suspect :)
DeleteI like the boxes that are planning something. I don't have such a keen eye to notice things like that.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, a woman in our neighborhood always dressed in black. We called her the Spider Lady. I wonder what her story was. Too bad these people from our past are nowhere to be found on-line, so we can read the real stories.
Have a nice weekend, Martha.
xoRobyn
I would love to know who that woman was. She was probably just someone's grandma. And maybe even really sweet.
DeleteThe things kids come up with ! Thanks for sharing ! Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteThat's what's great about kids...their imaginations!
Deleteoh boy .... a witch huh, kids have such great imaginations! the video was great (had to send it to my girls - they are always looking for funny faces)
ReplyDeleteI love that video. It's so funny!
DeleteWe also had people we were afraid of although no witches. People who were loners and some what odd were treated with suspicion.
ReplyDeleteNo matter the neighbourhood, there's always that 'special' person!
DeleteI really love that house with the spiral staircase and I love the shadow of it on the house too. I can just picture you kids looking up at that and being scared of a poor lady who must have had osteoporosis!
ReplyDeleteI loved that video, so funny with all the faces! I see faces everywhere, there's a word for it, begins with "p". ...Pareidolia...there, I had to look it up and I did a post about it once! I cannot remember one thing these days!! I would be proud to be middle age if I were you, I am OLD AGE!!
She probably did suffer from osteoporosis...poor woman... But at least we didn't give her a hard time. Just imagined all kinds of silly things.
DeleteI see faces in things, too. Kind of fun in a way, but also strange at times.
Hey, you do not look old age!
We had an old witchy woman in our neighbourhood too when I was a kid. She used to wander the ditches beside the road and pick up string. My Mom forbade us to make fun of her like the other kids did. She had a bunch of cats who lived with her in her little shack too.
ReplyDeleteLove that video -- very fun!
She had cats? Well that certainly proves that she was a witch!
DeleteThank goodness we weren't mean kids. We never made fun of this woman; just let our imaginations run wild.
That's quite a departure from the usual witch cottage! Poor lady was probably longing to give you some candy lol
ReplyDeleteHahaha...you are probably right! She was most likely just someone's sweet grandma.
DeleteI hope that old witch was a good broom-driver, so she didn't have to keep hauling her weary bones up and down all those steps!
ReplyDeleteCute video. Happy weekend!
Kind of sad that she had to go up and down so many stairs. It was probably a real challenge for her!
Deletehaahaaa cook ya in a cauldron… you too young to remember the movie, Sandlot?
ReplyDeleteThat video is hilarious … chicken church? HAHaaaaa … I see faces in stuff… especially cars and trees… oranges. tomatoes. oooo coconuts. the sky… unshelled peanuts. …
g'night ;)
Yup, cook us in a cauldron! The things kids think of...
DeleteI know of the movie Sandlot, but I don't remember if I've seen it or not. Sounds so darn familiar that it's possible I have.
I see faces in things, too. Kind of fun, and sometimes a little weird.
We had a witch who lived up the road from our family home also.
ReplyDeleteThey are everywhere!
DeleteI wonder if someday I will be living alone with my animals and children will think I'm a witch. It could happen, although I am kind of the opposite of a recluse and would probably invite all the kids to my house.
ReplyDeleteWhere is that in Mtl? NDG?
That's in Park Extension, which (from what I've been told) is similar in many ways to NDG.
DeleteI did the colour thing, I was suprised I'm : Violet
ReplyDeleteLorraine, that is a great colour! Violets are good, inspirational people I've done these tests before and I usually end up being indigo; this time blue. I don't take them too seriously, of course, but it is fun.
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