Half a Harvest Moon

PITTSBURGH--Last night, it was still 72 degrees after dark. The last flip-flops day of Indian summer. It wasn't a Harvest Moon, but maybe it was bright enough, with some help from from the power grid, to equal half.

Today will be the last day for fall foliage. The winds from Hurricane Sandy will likely blow them all away, and maybe some of the trees, too.

Other Halloweenie sights around Pittsburgh:

The Ghost of Costumes Past

HOME -- These costumes weren't all for Halloween. Kids just like to dress up. Apparently big people do, too.

The top hat folds. My dad got it in France during World War II

Mary, Kim, Kris (in back), Robin and Patti (dressed for high school plays)

Hey, pilgrim, I think she was just getting over Chicken Pox

Puppet Shows on Demand

PITTSBURGH -- I was strolling downtown on Sunday, soaking up October sunshine on a 75-degree afternoon. I had just scored a ticket to the opera, Rigoletto. I had intended to buy a ticket, but a man had entered the box office and asked those of us standing in line, "Does anybody need one seat?" To which I replied that yes, I needed one seat. To which he replied, "Happy Birthday." He handed me a ticket and walked out the door before I could think what to say. Thank you anonymous ticket giver.

Anyway, I saw a couple of interesting sights on my stroll:

Too bad Zach doesn't work on Sundays.

The old, weathered sign on the building where Duff's Business Institute used to live on Ninth Street. Where I went to school in the '70s.

Rigoletto was terrific. The soprano's high note at the end of Act II brought tears to people's eyes.

Stop Shooting. We Love You.

GARFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD OF PITTSBURGH -- Nothing to add.

Don't Be a Boob

PITTSBURGH'S NORTH SHORE -- It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, just in case you have missed all things pink in American society right now. Pro football players and refs wearing pink shoes and gloves, airline staff decked out in pink scarves and ties, pink water in fountains. Even the Rivers Casino here in Pittsburgh supports the cause:

Mums the Word

FLORENCE,  South Carolina -- While visiting my folks in Florence, we stopped at their local farmers market where pumpkins and mums (and even bottle trees) were in full bloom.