The Ghosts and the Goblins Will Come Out Tonight!

I loved Halloween when I was a child. My mother didn't decorate the house or spend time putting together elaborate costumes but I do remember the excitement that I felt each year in anticipation of trick-or-treating. Our costumes were usually homemade and put together at the last minute. I remember a few of them. I was a tomboy so I never wore anything girlie. I remember being a sailor, a clown, an Eskimo (yes, an Eskimo because I had a large winter coat with a furry hood), a baby in footie pajamas, a hobo, a cowboy, and a skeleton. Our neighborhood was large so we always came home with a pillowcase full of candy that lasted for weeks. When we got home, my sister and I would dump out the candy on the living room floor and sort out everything that we didn't like. My father was right there to retrieve the licorice, rootbeer candies, and peanut butter kisses. I can still see him sitting in his chair with a lap full of candy "rejects".

As an adult, I still live in a large neighborhood where Halloween is a big deal! Prior to trick-or-treating, all the little ghosts and goblins (and their parents) meet in our cul-de-sac for a hot dog supper. It is a wonderful event that allows the neighbors to gather, show off their costumes, and socialize prior to hitting the streets for the night. Once the signal is given for trick-or-treating to begin, our house is their first stop. Kids from zero to about thirteen or so, run up our hill for their first treats of the night. This year, we passed out over 500 pieces of candy in about three minutes. Our candy bowl was practically empty and we rested in the front yard waiting for the next round to show up. A crisp, fall night in Georgia...the weather was PERFECT for Trick-or-Treating!












As I reflect on Halloween's from the past, I wanted to post this little poem that my mother used to recite when I was a child. I believe that she made it up but I'm not sure...




The ghosts and the goblins will come out tonight.
The ghosts and the goblins will give you a fright!
The ghosts and the goblins will all trick-or-treat.
You better give them something to eat! BOO!

Happy Halloween to All!