I love Halloween but….

     For thirty-five years, we’ve gone all out on Halloween.  We even wear costumes to hand out candy.  This year is no different. 

     On October first, I put black garland twined with orange lights along the edge of the porch roof and stapled glow in the dark plastic spider webs to the struts on the sides.  The fancier lights and decorations don’t go outside until the day of our city’s designated Trick or Treat night.  My best friend and I will spend the entire day of the ‘designated night’ decorating my front porch. 

     Trick or Treat night falls on Halloween for a change, and our city limits the hours to between 6 and 8 p.m. (No fair!)  I want to stay out there later.  I have too much fun playing with my fog machine and animated props.  Sometimes on a rare, warm Trick or Treat night, we will pass out candy until 10.  

     We have hordes of Trick or Treaters arrive.  Meatloaf, Queen, and the old Halloween stand bys blast from speakers.  Wildly Witchy, I dip into my cauldron and pass out candy by the handful.  It’s true, I enjoy thinking about sugar-hyper kids who bounce off the walls and drive their parents crazy all night.  Why should I be the only person who has trouble sleeping? 

     I always love the comments the people make about our display.  However, the last few years I’ve heard a few remarks a great deal scarier than the spookiest of costumes.  These were from numerous parents who brought their kids to our house. 

     “I’ve always loved coming to your house on Halloween!  I used to Trick or Treat here when I was a kid.”  Those people had graying hair and were with children who weren’t toddlers.  

 EEEEEEKS!!!!!