Happy Halloween!

I remember at the age of 10, finally, being deemed old enough to trick or treat with my friends and brother, all by ourselves! I remember the beautiful California sunsets setting the skies ablaze with deep hues of gold, orange, red and purple, waiting for the word that it was dark enough for us to go! The air was crisp and pungent with the smell of bonfires, and I would wheeze with excitement, as we scurried a block east to that first house at the end of the block. Not the bulkiness of my jacket and jeans with the store bought, brightly colored vinyl , sweaty, Yogi Bear costume, nor the plastic mask, with eye holes that didn't quite match, a deterrent to that one magical evening when with loose abandon we could run freely through the neighborhood, laughing, screaming trick or treat, singing Halloween songs and collecting candy all the while.

I remember the old lady at the top of the hill, she gave out whole Hershey bars! There were Sky Bars, Bit O'Honey, Good and Plenty, Pixie Stix, Bazooka Bubble Gum, Kisses, Jawbreakers, Salt Water Taffy in every flavor imaginable, Cherry Bombs & Lemondheads! Our pillowcases were stuffed with sugary, stomach-turning, tooth decaying, delectable delights!

Of, course there were the Moriarty's across the street, they gave out apples. Not very popular with the kids, until the next day when Patty's mom would gather all the caramels out of everyone's bags and melt them for dipping our apples!

Those were fun and innocent times. Tomorrow the grandkids will stop in with their parents. We will have some potato soup, decorate Halloween sugar cookies, dip apples, have treats, snap pictures and then they will go off to another set of Grandparents for treats and pictures. It is sad that they will never know the same independence and fun that we enjoyed, but at least there will be the dressing up and treats, and laughter with different memories of Halloween spent with loved ones.

Here's to a Happy and Safe Halloween...to the old, wonderful and warm memories of Halloween's past...and to new traditions in a different world from days gone by!