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The days of creepy creatures and crumbled candy have passed. They are lately replaced by "Is anybody at the door?". And this year we repeated our practice of waiting for Trick or Treaters in the garage. Last year, as I recall, we decided that the front steps were so overgrown with weeds that it would be dangerous for anyone to come that way. This year the ripping out of everything growing in the front to allow for the new sidewalk made access that was possible, but it meant locating all the cats and imprisoning them in a bathroom to prevent escapes when a door opened. My completion of house cleaning was incomplete, so we decided to use the garage again this year. The good part of that plan was that the dogs could be out with us waiting eagerly to greet the kids. The bad part was that even their keen ears detected nothing except one small group of kids from the houses behind ours. Since it had been raining earlier, I predicted that many kids would not even try to come out. But when the official town time for Trick or Treaters arrived, the dogs and I heard noises across the yard and our neighbors came across the lawn.
Since we were in the garage I could not really see their costumes. I knew who they were, and I was amazed at how much older the girls looked in what they had chosen to wear. The boys were younger, and their faces showed the smiles of little boys. My husband had me keep the interior lights off while he hid behind a large cardboard box. Then, when the kids were just about to take their candy from me, he burst out with a loud, scary-sounding yell that surprised the girls to the extent that they screamed! My husband was pleased that he could at least make someone feel a sense of Halloween fright! Shortly after that we saw a flashlight guiding more people across the lawn. They were our neighbors, umbrella in hand, coming out with their kids to say "hi". They had put a box of candy outside for any kids that might be coming around, but they also doubted much of a turnout. Their umbrella was welcomed though when it suddenly began to pour! The kids scampered back to their houses, while the neighbor commented that he had seen no evidence of typical Mischief Night activity: no toilet paper strewn over trees and bushes, pumpkins smashed in the road, soap writing on cars parked outside, nor anything noticeably out of place. We were happy about that, because it meant that we lived in a good, peaceful neighborhood. The neighbors' dog, which had followed along with them, now sniffed around playfully with our two as usual. I insisted that they also take some candy from the big plate I offered. I had them take some more for their kids as well. I had forgotten all about a Milkbone® for Lucy, their dog, but no one minded. Finally, umbrella in hand, our friends and Lucy headed back home to be with the children. There was one family that did not come this year, and my husband suggested that I keep the lights on after the official town time in case they decided to come late. Last year, since the wife is a nurse, their Trick or Treating with their two boys was at the very end. So I waited in the garage with Patches, who lives in fear that I will abandon him, hoping that the last family would come over. But no one else came, and I had to blame the weather for discouraging the usual candy hunt. This morning, Sunday one hour early because of the government-ordered end to Daylight Savings Time, the sun was out and shining brightly as if to mock the costumed children of Halloween. I'll bet the kids wished that we could postpone their holiday, or have a "do-over"! But because it was Sunday I did my regular job of going up for the newspaper, bringing it into the house, and setting up the table for our coffee. This is a family ritual now, and only snow or ice that renders my scooter useless changes it. So having made my journey up to the paper tube and calling "hello" to Nicky, the horse next door, the day could begin. Have you ever had KitKat® and Starburst® for breakfast? Just Mom |
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| Cartoon Courtesy of Coffee Cup Software |