“Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen. Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is Halloween!’
My house was cold this morning because I had turned off the heat yesterday when the day was lovely and warm, but last night got chilly. I, however, didn’t even notice until this morning when I got up as I was cozy in bed under the covers and surrounded by two warm dogs so I slept well. When I got downstairs, I turned on the heat first then I made my coffee.
Today the high will only be only 51°, seasonal weather. The sun is quite bright. Its light has that fall sharpness. The breeze is, at times, strong. Nala is out. She is asleep in her sun spot in the backyard. Henry is asleep on the couch.
Today is a big day, Halloween. When I was a kid, I could barely contain my excitement. I wanted the sun to disappear. I wanted the darkness. My mother was the guard of the gate. She had us eat supper before we could even put on our costumes. I don’t remember a single supper. I do remember looking out the picture window hoping to see the first trick or treaters, the signs it was time. We always did the neighborhood first. I remember the year my father gave out Hoodsies. We had repeaters hoping for seconds. My father caught them. A lot of the treats were wrapped in Halloween napkins or Saran Wrap. They were mostly penny candy. I remember getting popcorn balls. I also remember apples. One time I found a nickel pushed into the apple skin. Nickel candy bars were the treasures of Halloween. I remembered from year to year the best houses. One nickel house was all the way across town, across the street from the First National. It was a neat looking house painted red with columns in front. Two old ladies lived there. The house is still there, but I think it is an insurance office.
By the time we headed home, we were about the last trick or treaters still out. Most of the house lights had gone dark. We’d stop at a couple on the way home, but our enthusiasm had waned. We were tired. Our bags were heavy. We just wanted to get home.
Once home, we’d empty out bags on the rug and sort and trade. My mother would give us each a bowl to hold our candy. They were the tulip bowls. I have a set I bought a few years ago. They carry the memories. Anyway, we’d trade then sit and munch. My mother let us eat the candy. We got to stay up late as we had no school the next day. It was a holy day so we did have to go to church, but it was a small price to pay. We’d keep our bowls under our beds, handy places for munching.
I am giving out nickel bars, now $1.25 bars and higher. I bought what I like. I have to put the dogs out as Henry barks and scares the kids. Mostly the kids are young. Their parents wait on the road. Every kid wears a costume. They get Halloween.
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