More Tricks...Fewer Treats!

   I, just, love Halloween! I have terrific, childhood, memories of years of enjoying the 'Trick-or-Treat' Season. Every year was exciting, with it's anticipation of what costume to wear, and, certainly, the realization that I would collect enough candy to last me through to the New Year! When I was a child, this event was a much different thing than it is today, with flocks of families walking the familiar neighborhood streets, as soon as it was dark enough to justify lighting up the ol' Jack-o-Lantern. Naturally, when my sibs and I were very, young, tots, we were chaperoned by Mom and Dad. As we got older, we were permitted to cruise the neighborhoods with our pals, and, fortunately, it was safe to do so. There was one house in the neighborhood, whose owners put on the greatest 'Haunted-House' display. Although, we knew it was all phony and fake, we'd allow ourselves to get scared and spooked, as it was a great, fun part of the festivities. An entire gang of us would go collecting our goods, and, frequently, have to make a 'pit-stop', back home, to pick up another pillowcase, as these are what we used to hold our goodies. Imagine, that, some years we'd wind up with two, fairly- filled pillowcases, those which, upon returning home for the night, we would spill out over the living-room rug, to peruse our take of treasure, which, included counting each, individual, piece of candy. It's funny...since living in my home, here in the 'YV', we have seen but three children at our door, and, these, on the very, first, Halloween, that we were here. Those, 'across the street' neighbors, never came back, any, years following, after that, and, so, we've not had one other, over the last, fourteen, years. Every Halloween Season, I purchase goodies, just in case; yet, I know that they will be eaten by those of use who dwell here. In that we live, deep in the valley, at the 'dead-end' of the road, it has never been surprising that we get no one here...no little ghoulies, no gremlins, NOBODY! Although, I love it here, I can, certainly, see how kids might find it a bit creepy, especially, on the night of All Hallow's Eve. When I was a child, I, along with my fellow goody-grabbers' wouldn't have hesitated coming to a spot as this; but, today's world is a much, different place, and, I totally, 'get' why nobody ventures to our home, and, why the streets, in general, on Halloween night, are all but void of lil' vampires and witches. When 'times' change, many, different, aspects of life are impacted, and, what a shame that is. I feel blessed that I grew up in an era where life was a bit calmer, all the way around, and, I got to enjoy such simple pleasures as a good, old-fashioned Halloween. Just Sayin'...