The fall season comes around and everyone in my neighborhood is eager to get out and do some major yard decorating — of the scariest and freaky kind with pumpkins and creepy stuff hanging from the trees . . . maybe a graveyard or two . . .
I enjoy going to a Pumpkin Farm and selecting pumpkins for carving. It’s fun if they offer a hay ride and a maze to explore and get lost in . . . And, it is wonderful when people come wearing costumes . . . Yet, not too scary . . .
It’s good to get a caramel apple to bring in the season. I know a place that has fresh apple cider for our enjoyment as well. There are a lot of activities that many places may offer with all kinds of foods and merchandise you can purchase. I’ve never really been into bobbing for apples . . . but that could have been for an earlier time.
I do enjoy watching pumpkin carving contests. Some people are very clever and creative. It gives me ideas for carving my own.
Two Of My Favorite All Round Halloween Pictures
Trick-Or-Treating Was A Big Deal When I Was A Kid
We didn’t wear our Halloween costumes to school. The big unveiling was that night after dark when the neighborhood seemed to come alive.
I lived close to the curve of the cul-ta-sac and it was a bit frightening to see a huge mass of kids coming up the street towards you. Our streetlights weren’t all that bright. They would cast a shadow beneath it . . . Kind of creepy now that I think of it.
I think what made trick-or-treating so much fun was running around the neighborhood after dark. I know my friends were all about the candy. I thought it was really fun going door to door, ringing doorbells, and having the neighbors answer and greet you. It was kind of cool.
Back then, I don’t remember too many people with elaborate decorations. There were mostly carved pumpkins. But, my focus back then may have not been on Halloween decor. I don’t remember any bats flying around or witches riding on their broomsticks. Now, that would have really been something!
Most of the time when I talk to people about Halloween and trick-or-treating in particular, someone has a story to tell about a creepy house at the end of their street or a few blocks away. Of course, they have to go there. And, of course, the house looks worse in the dark with the shadows and the imaginations of the participants running wild.
In this one story, my brother and his friends were greeted by a creaky old rusted gate that swang slowly in the autumn night air. As they stepped past the gate and before going up the steps to the porch, they heard the crash of trash barrels and the screeching of cats.
Fortunately, I wasn’t there, but if I had been, I would have promptly been about halfway home by the time the others gathered on the front porch.
They did gather on the porch and finally, one of them was elected to ring the doorbell. That sound echoed throughout the interior of the house. As they waited in anticipation, after a while they realized the house was empty and no one was coming to answer the bell.
I Admit The True Story Was Quite A Let-Down
Of course, my brother and his friends, over the years had several variations to this particular haunted house trick-or-treating experience.
My favorite rendition was that the front door was open and with the sound of the doorbell, the door creaked open a bit wider.
One by one they slowly crept into the dark interior of the house. It had been abandoned for several years. Over time, the place decayed — the smell was awful. They had to be very careful placing one foot in front of the other and not falling through wide gaps in the floor.
A few of the boys ventured upstairs while a few others decided to make their way back outside and wait on the porch steps.
Years later, I did visit that old house as an adult. It did smell bad and it was a complete disaster inside — the floor was pretty much gone and the stairway had a lot of broken steps.
I always find it sad to see a beautiful old house go to decay. I imagine there was once a fine family that lived there and thoroughly enjoyed that house. But the weather, neglect, and being unable to afford proper maintenance, the place ended up being condemned and eventually torn down.
Well, I know I do need to work on my trick-or-trick stories and get into the Halloween spirit.
This History Channel Documentary I found quite informative and thought it important to share it here.
Bats, witches … plus traditions and legends that led to our celebration of Halloween.
I found this documentary very informative and I hope you agree. I especially like the idea of how Halloween is much tamer than in years past. It is a time for children and adults to dress up in costume and go door to door trick-or-treat-ing or going to parties.
There is definitely something fun about going out after dark . . . and getting a scare or two . . . but it is all in fun without the destructive mischief of the past.
I also found it interesting how costumes have evolved … They are quite involved … and quite expensive as well …
Have a safe Halloween with your family and friends.
This morning was a bit chilly with the temperature reaching 80° F later today.
There are only a few days remaining of summer.
We’re passing into another season and getting closer to some major holidays — Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then the New Year. It all seems to be coming quickly.
I do wonder if you’ve had the opportunity to get your Halloween costumes or whether you’ve planned your All Hollow’s Eve Party . . . maybe you’re thinking of a theme for your party . . . or having one that is family friendly — maybe there are some DVD’s you’d like to have available for your guests to watch. Something fun and not too scary for children.
I do love Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I enjoyed the Disney cartoon version.
It is a wonderful story that I read every year.
I’m always figuring out a different ending for it. I do so want a happy ending.
Well, let’s see what Halloween DVD’s are available for us to watch and enjoy:
I do love Scooby-Doo and these are fun for all ages. But I do wonder what else would be fun and appropriate. Maybe . . .
These are all family friendly, but you may have something else in mind. Just click one of the links and go off exploring for the DVD’s you and your family and friends would enjoy watching.
It is never too early to begin shopping for Halloween and planning your Halloween get together.
Here are a few suggestions:
That seems like a nice variety. Great for your guests and for the trick-or-treat visitors.
With the August heat, thinking about fall is refreshing.
I enjoy thinking ahead for fall decorating and I’m even open to Christmas decorating. Now is the perfect time to be looking ahead.
I enjoy the different seasons of the year . . . fall being my absolute favorite. I love thinking about the falling leaves and the pumpkins and that slight nip in the air. The transition from summer to fall is always exciting for me.
When I saw this fall tree, I thought it was perfect. A great project to get started thinking about. Gathering up all kinds of goodies that represent the season to me. Pumpkins, candy corn, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns . . . witches, scarecrows . . . muffin tins, pie tins . . .
I’m sure your tree would be unique. Just as mine may be, too. I don’t think “gingerbread” men cookies, but I’m not one to criticize. I might want more cooking utensils and maybe an old hat and boots . . . a few of my favorite books that represent the season . . .
Such a fall tree could go through the process of the kids starting back to school and then moving into Halloween and moving into Thanksgiving. I wonder if this tree would make the transition into Christmas . . . something worth thinking about.
Fall is a process. It’s a time of harvest . . . so there would be corn and pumpkins along with other fruits and vegetables. There may be scarecrows and black crows . . . maybe a raven . . . skeletons and who knows what represents fall to you.
Fall is an interesting transition period. It seems to be as colorful as spring . . yet in a different way. It offers two celebrations . . . Halloween and Thanksgiving. Both times of pumpkin pie and other sweet treats. Caramel corn, caramel apples . . . dressing up in costumes to run around the neighborhood . . . maybe getting scared by someone coming out of the darkness . . .
We do see school buses and children walking to school carrying books or wearing backpacks. It’s a new school year . . . trying out new recipes of pumpkin bread and pumpkin muffins and apples — baked and put in pies and cakes and cookies.
The trip to the pumpkin farm is always delightful . . . picking out the right pumpkins to carve for Halloween . . . Then picking out your costume . . . and the planning of your own Halloween party . . . or one for the kids . . .
Fall is definitely an exciting time of year.
And during this latter part of summer we’re preparing for the children to get ready for a new school year. Some of you may be planning the last vacation of the summer. Hopefully, you’ll be visiting family and they will be visiting you. It’s fun when all the cousins get together.
Family is wonderful. It’s great to spend time with them . . . Taking a bit of a break from all our busy routine to relax and enjoy the company of family we haven’t seen in awhile. This is usually great for all concerned.
It’s a time to discover that you do have more in common than you once thought. That’s why these times between holidays are important to get together. It can be much more relaxing and casual.
This would also be a great opportunity to collect items for your fall tree . . . things from your summer vacations and things you learned from loved ones. It is all part of you and what these seasons and holidays represent for you and your family. We are definitely a product of our ancestry.
These are just some thoughts.
It’s important to take a moment out of our daily schedules and think about fall and other seasons. It’s also good to observe how others view the season and what the stores stock up on and what may be missing . . .
I’m always looking for things that aren’t usually stocked . . . but they have plenty of other stuff I have no interest in at all. Do you find that, too.
Enjoy your remaining days of summer . . . and recognize how fall is creeping up on us . . .
At least to the best of your ability. You want to give your children life enriching experiences that allow them to grow into intelligent, productive adults.
But . . . no matter your good intentions children can be a bit confused about Halloween and going door-to-door to get candy.
The quote may be an extreme example. It is also pretty far from the truth. We usually guide our children to do their trick-or-treating within the neighborhood where you pretty much know everyone.
You’re giving your children a safe Halloween experience where they can dress up in costume and go out in the night with lots of other children to collect a variety of candy.
Halloween Is A Fun Neighborhood Experience
I like sitting on my front porch to hand out candy.
That way I’m outside enjoying the night air and seeing the kids with their parents walk up to get their candy. I love the sounds of shuffling feet, the voices of exclamation when they see the various lit jack-o-lanterns and laughter when they’re startled by an animatronic witch that cackles as they approach the front door.
I can feel that anticipation when a group of children ring the doorbell across the street.
I love the costumes, the excitement and enthusiasm of the children running around with friends and family to collect a bag full of candy.
It is an event I look forward to each year. I usually don’t dress up, but it’s fun to see families all dressed up. Adults have as much fun as the kids.
It’s a way for adults to relive their childhood through their children.
It’s A Fun Fall Activity Where Adults Give Candy To The Children Of The Neighborhood
Most holidays are about friends and family and done behind closed doors.
Halloween is a neighborhood activity. It’s where young and old come together to share an annual event of adults giving candy and children graciously receiving it.
I know many people don’t buy in to the concept of Halloween with the sinister overtones.
I choose to think of it as the one time of year when a neighborhood shares. And all lives are enriched by the couple of hours of handing out candy and seeing hundreds of costumed children having a great time filling their bags with candy.
I Think Of Halloween As A Prelude To Thanksgiving
It’s a way of being thankful we live in a nice neighborhood and are given the opportunity to share candy with others.
I’m thankful for the many families that go through the effort of buying costumes for their children and taking them out to collect their bag full of candy.
I’m as delighted as the children by their laughter and enthusiasm. It brings back memories of those carefree days of youth.
And as I sit waiting for the next swarm of excited trick-or-treating children, I can count my blessings.
This will be my precious Diva’s first Halloween with me. I want her to be safe, that’s why I’ll sit on the front porch with her instead of having children ring the doorbell. This way we can see who’s coming to the door and don’t have to listen to the sounds outside . . . we can see and hear them coming.
I know my other pets enjoyed sitting on the front porch on All Hollows Eve and I believe Diva will be equally joyous and thankful to participate. Last year we took a little walk around the neighborhood after all the trick-or-treater were gone. Porch lights were still shining brightly . . . the slight nip in the air . . . and the silence . . . except for the echo of our footsteps in the still night air.
