Happy Halloween!

Youngest son and I were reminiscing this weekend about costumes past. He mentioned  that he only once wore a "store-bought" costume.    It was of a popular cartoon character. Cheap print on even cheaper nylon and a plastic face mask that inhibited both breathing and vision.  It self-destructed before the night was over and was a terrible disappointment.  After that costume debacle, we resumed the tradition of home-made costumes.
The boys were all very creative and came up with their own ideas. I helped to implement these ideas as best as I could, given my own craftsy limitations but they did a great job..   One year they had a Halloween party at home that went rather well.  Another year they attended a school Halloween carnival.  Youngest son claims his favourite Halloweens though were the nights of  door to door trick or treating.
I get that.  Long ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was a child, I vaguely recall my own Halloween adventures.     There was something special, exciting, about being given license to roam the neighborhood dressed as someone or something else ringing doorbells.  Packs of small children, costumes rustling, masks askew, hats toppling, rushing up and down neighborhood streets yelling 'Trick or Treat" while the kid nearest the door rang the bell, thrusting our sacks toward the offered goodies then racing to the next house.  Back then it was safe for kids to wander through the neighborhoods on that night.  It was even safe to accept home made goodies. Those were some of the best!  Cookies, popcorn balls, home made candies even!  The pack of kids I ran with stopped under every corner streetlight to check out our haul. One particular kid, Vernon, ate the contents of his sack while the rest of us traded less desirables for more desirables.  Once we got back home, we emptied our sacks and sorted our haul. Did a little more trading. Then we were even allowed to take a few pieces of our loot in our lunch boxes to schooleach day until it was gone.   It was a different time.
I have learned that here in our new town, there is a kids costume parade on Venice avenue. which sounds very fun. Then the kids go up and down Venice Avenue collecting store bought candy from the vendors.  I don't know if they go door to door in neighborhoods.  Seems like that doesn't happen much anymore.  We bought candies just in case.  Coincidently it was candy that we also like so if no little witches or goblins ring our bell, it won't go to waste.
However you celebrate, be safe and have a spooky good time!

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