And so begins a silent, all-photo Halloween tale that sure to warm your hearts and send shivers up your spines. A new shot will be posted each day leading up to the finale on the 31st.

OK, so this thing is off to a rip-roaring start. The pumpkin* is just sitting there. But what sort of magical, life-changing journey is it about to embark upon? You'll have to check back each day to find out.

* OK, so I found this albino pumpkin at a local Zupan's. I wonder what sort of process goes into making a "ghost pumpkin." This is the first year I've seen them for sale in Portland. If this thing starts singing and/or making requests for Steve Martin to stop by I'm carving it two weeks early.