Happy Halloween!

I hastily painted a pumpkin with cheap acrylic paints at the library the other day, and decided to dress it up for Halloween after taking it home yesterday.

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I like to dress up as some kind of career option the kids visiting the library might want to read about or grow up to become. I have been a scientist, a lumberjack, and a railroad engineer among other things over the years, although there are exceptions. This time, I decided to revisit the engineer costume.

The watch is a Westclox Scotty, a very blue-collar workhorse. It still keeps time pretty well if I wind it regularly. I used a clasp from a broken keychain and some heavy necklace chain to hold it.

The hat is from long ago. My dad worked for the railroad for over 30 years, and I specifically requested this hat at some point before his job brought us west.

The wrench is a cheap made-in-China 3/4" combination wrench I found on the road this past summer. In fact, I ran over it and kicked it out of the dust into the floor pan of my car where it made a scary CLUNK and rattle. No damage, just unnerving. I'd rather not risk losing my good tools, so it's a good choice for a prop.

The rest of my attire is clothing I already own. I'm not a blue-collar worker, but I live in the country where manual labor needs doing sometimes. You may recall my pursuit of better boots. I also own some denim overalls, which have what looks like a buttonhole by the right shoulder strap button. This lingering relic on some overalls is where a watch chain connects with a toggle, and the watch is stored in the bib pouch when not needed. Like the watch pocket on most jeans, this relic remains on a lot of overalls for a device most don't use anymore. Most work overalls (including mine) also have a hammer loop and deep tool pockets, so the wrench has a home while adding to the effect with little extra trouble. Rounding it off is a flannel shirt, a neckerchief, and leather gloves.

What are your costume plans? Do you buy something pre-made, D.I.Y. something for the occasion, or accessorize clothing you already own to serve a new purpose for a party?

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