Skip to main content

The Mystery Of Scratch Kitty//October 97th, 2020

If you somehow haven’t already figured it out, I love Halloween decor.       

Or, as I tend to refer to it, “everyday decor”.

I’ve collected a lot over the years. Even in childhood I’d often choose to spend my allowance or birthday money on Halloween-related items. I’ve amassed many different items of many different styles. Pretty much anything that relates to Halloween, makes my heart happy. 

I have, however, always had a particular love for vintage Halloween, which seems to be reaching its peak in my adult life. I suppose if I had to describe my particular decorating aesthetic at this point in time it would be something along the lines of “haunted pumpkin patch meets 1950s Halloween party”.  I’d own a lot more vintage decor if I had more money and space, and also if it were a little easier to find.

I was incredibly lucky this past September when I took a trip to Delaware to visit my Aunt Joanne. In her area, there are loads of vintage and antique shops, far more than I’ve ever had access to at home, and I had a wonderful time browsing around and came away with some great finds.

There is one item, however, that sticks out among all the others.


In a store called “Simply Charming”, I ran across this deliciously evil looking, vintage style black cat treat pail. He appears to be made of paper mache, and has no discernible brand name or artist signature to be found. He didn’t cost much, so I’m not sure how truly “vintage” he actually is, but he is easily one of the most unique items in my collection and grabs my attention for more than a passing glance every time I look in his direction.

I’ve started referring to him as “Scratch Kitty”, as both an homage to the old Beistle Scratch Cats, and also those particular images of the Devil in which he is referred to as “Old Scratch”. I can’t look at this guy’s face without thinking there’s something a little demonic about him.

As with many secondhand items, I often find myself wondering just what this guy’s story is. It’s entirely possible that I’ve just run across an impressive, but modern, vintage reproduction type product that I’ve just never seen before. But my personal backstory for dear ol’ Scratch Kitty is that he was made many, many years ago as a treat pail for a child, and was rejected for his ultra-creepy appearance. I also think it’s highly probable that strange things may have started happening after he was constructed, but I’ve yet to witness any myself. I suppose that may be because he likes me, and appreciates my somewhat discriminating tastes...or he may just be waiting for the right moment to pounce.

Either way, one day I plan to write a much more detailed story about what I see when I look at him. In the meantime, I hope his face finds some nice dreams to haunt tonight. 


Stay spooky, my friends.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Not So Sure About This Social Media Thing//October 94th, 2026

 I started this blog six years ago on New Year's Day. I had been through some major life changes in 2018/2019, and really found myself along the way. I felt as though I really had cemented a place for myself within the Halloween community on social media, and often, when I would caption my posts on Instagram with snippets of memories, or a specific feeling that maybe not many others could understand, I would get comments and messages from new friends and followers, complimenting the way I wrote, sometimes even asking for more, and so, the idea to start a blog again was born, and, silly as it may sound, I am very proud that I've managed to stick with it as long as I have. Long work hours, personal problems, bouts of anxiety and depression....none of that has ever fully stopped me from coming back and doing what I love.  But, lately, I have been feeling a little off about social media in general, and that's something I really would like to talk about, as I feel it taking a to...
2 comments
Read more

Here’s Where The Story Ends//October 337th, 2020

 Everyone has moments in their life when they feel like giving up. That feeling of “This is never going to happen, so why keep trying?” Sometimes it relates to a thing that would be trivial to anyone else, sometimes it’s about something more life-altering. But, we’ve all been there. I have moments of discouragement with this blog. Times I’ve told myself, “No one cares”, or “No one will read this”, etc., but I continue on, for the joy of it. And sometimes, something amazing happens. If you haven’t read my previous post,  Have You Seen This Pumpkin? , I would strongly suggest doing so before continuing on with this story. The short version is, I saw a pumpkin in someone’s window when I was twelve years old, and have spent the last twenty-one years trying to find it for myself.  When I published that post, I wasn’t expecting much of a response. I was really just hoping to hear someone say, “Yes, my family had this pumpkin when I was a kid!” Or “I once saw this in a neighbor’...
9 comments
Read more

Tales From A Walk: April 5th, 2026; AKA Easterween/Creepster/Zombie Jesus Day, Etc.

 Someone asked me once When do you stop mourning the previous Halloween and start looking forward to the next one? That's always been a hard question for me to answer, as I am always looking back or looking ahead, depending on the situation.  I often see what was, and what will be again, simultaneously.  But today, I went for a walk. Probably my first full walk since Christmas time. That last walk, the remnants were still there. Though it was a different holiday entirely, I still met some rotting pumpkins, and some dead leaves clinging to their brittle branches. Then two back to back winter storms came in February, burying us in two feet of snow both times. I don't know that I've ever felt more like I was in alternate reality, or farther away from Halloween. Today was different, though.  When Easter comes, you hear all this talk of spring, and new beginnings, and that sort of thing.  And I guess it never really hit me how that can apply to Halloween as well. Wal...
Post a Comment
Read more