I’ve always loved Halloween, and I have many happy memories of trick-or-treating with my friends and dressing up in fun costumes. I never viewed the holiday as something dark and scary. Hard to do when I was bombarded with abundant candy and didn’t need an excuse to play dress-up. I chose costumes that were cute or pretty. I can’t recall ever being a witch or a vampire–or anything associated with gore and blood. To me, those things weren’t fun.
When I got too old to go door to door for candy, I loved handing it out at my parents’ house and seeing what kinds of costumes the children would wear. Honestly, I enjoyed giving the candy away as much as receiving it.
Do you remember ‘penny’ candy? Yes, I’m talking about candy that only cost one cent. Years ago, you could buy a piece of candy for a penny. No, not back in the Stone Age. I’m not quite that old.
My grandparents owned a grocery store, and behind the counter were several rows of penny candy. We had a lot of trick-or-treaters who’d come to our house (usually over 200), so Mom bought the inexpensive candy to make our dollars go farther. Budgets were tight! It was my job to select the candy to be given away, so I picked out the largest pieces of penny candy, which usually meant the wrapped licorice. Hard to believe we could buy a long piece of red licorice wrapped in cellophane for a cent! Wow!
I think kids loved coming to our street because there was one house where you were guaranteed to get a full-size candy bar! A rarity! At least, that had to be part of the draw. The other advantage was a lot of houses fairly close together and people in them who loved to participate in the holiday. Sadly, in more recent years past, when I took my grandson out to trick-or-treat, many houses were dark. Nobody home. It seems people purposefully avoid giving away candy now. Maybe because candy costs a whole lot more than a penny these days. Budgets are tighter than ever, so I shouldn’t fault people for avoiding the tradition.
My sister, who lives in Seattle, came to visit me this past week. She brought me a cute Halloween gift. This little guy is on a post that’s attached to a divider that fits between books–or DVDs in this case. This ghostie is reading a boo-ook. Thank you, Julie, for the adorable gift! She also gave me one that’s a jack-o-lantern with bat wings. I nestled this one between Deadwood and Downton Abbey. One series is my favorite, and the other is my husband’s favorite. I bet you can guess which is which!
Tonight, I’ll be handing out candy here at home, and I’m looking forward to seeing what costumes will be popular this year. Because we don’t get anywhere near 200 trick-or-treaters, whoever comes to my door will get a handful of candy. It’s not penny candy or full-size bars, but it’s good stuff! I only buy the kind that I enjoy eating, since I always seem to have leftovers.
I’m relishing the cooler weather now and still spending much of the time at my computer either writing or editing. Lately, I’ve been doing more editing than writing, but I’m sure that will soon change. I need to dive back into a new story and keep my mind actively creating. I find so much joy in putting words on a page. Just like I’m doing now!
What special memories do you have of Halloween? A certain costume you wore? A particular party you attended? Getting sick on too much candy? I’d love for you to post in comments below and tell me!
Stay safe and have a very happy Halloween!
With love,
Jeanne
