I love Halloween. I think part of it is that it represents fall, when the air is a little crisper, and the leaves start to change color. I love the extremes people will go to for the perfect costume. The season is a little sad for me. While trying to find the picture of Calem’s first Halloween costume, I was also reminded that it was a time we were saying good-bye to my sister. Despite that, I still fondly remember Calem’s first Halloween, and I remember the fun more than the sadness, which I think is a good thing. (Especially if he asks me what his first Halloween was like!)
Halloween in our neighborhood is a little…odd. It isn’t quite like how I remember Halloween as a kid. One of the courts up the street must have every home owned by a person from a certain religious group, because they block off the street with a sign saying they don’t believe in Halloween. If you are one of the houses passing out candy, you will see vanloads of kids being dropped off. The van will go to one side, drop the kids, and sometimes an adult chaperon, and then drive to the other side to pick up said group. And then, most of the people who come to your door don’t even seem to bother putting an effort into making their costumes.
When I was a kid, I remember walking through the neighborhood with my siblings and my mom. I remember in later years, we went to the mall before we hit up the neighbors. I remember glow sticks, and silly string. Maybe a neighbor’s house would get TP’ed. It just doesn’t seem the same. Or I have gotten older. Or maybe it is just the area I live in.
Regardless, this year, I have gone into hiding. I haven’t bought any candy this year. Dan and I are going to keep the lights off. This year, hopefully, the little ghosts, goblins, and costumeless high school kids looking for free hand outs will pass by our house. Because if they ring the bell, they won’t get an answer. Apparently, this year, I will be the Halloween scrooge.
But I still plan to take a picture of the religious group’s signage. That sign cracks me up!
Happy Halloween, Everyone!
Happy Halloween, Miss Lynda!!!
I too am a halloween Scrooge this year. I am in hiding even as I Type this LOL
Boo!
Like when you were younger, we went with the little guy to the mall and then to a few neighbors. I think he had fun. He got some good candy for Oma.
I live by a strict “no costume, no candy” policy.
Calem is just too cute!
Dont worry none Lynda, Trish and I were scrooges too this year. I don’t feel bad about it either!
Sad to say, I will be leaving the treats out of the equation next year. I was incredibly depressed last night due to a lack of TOTers. I’ll miss it.
How funny! How can you be against Halloween? Sure it has declined in recent years, teenagers throwing on jeans and a white tee-shirt and saying they are a ghost and begging for candy, but it is Halloween. I would never give those loser kids candy any way. What ever happened to taking pride in your costume and having fun, not just being greedy little candy grubbers?