Happy Halloween to everyone! Time for costumes, ghosts, black cats, and witches riding their brooms across the yellow moon.

When I was a kid growing up in Wisconsin, I had to bundle up to go trick-or-treating on bone-chilling Halloween nights. My mom made my costume extra-large so I could wear a winter coat underneath my outfit. I often dressed up as a witch with an ugly green mask, pointed black hat, and long black cape to meet my friends at sunset and walk the neighborhood streets. Cold weather never stopped us from ringing doorbells and gathering goodies into the night. I carried a pillowcase for my treats and didn’t head for home until it was overflowing with sweets and prizes. Once in the warm house, Mom made hot chocolate and helped me sort through my stash: candy bars, bubble gum, caramel apples, homemade cookies. We ate what we could and saved the leftovers to nibble on all week.  

Walter remembers dressing up in costume and running the streets with his siblings and friends. One year, one of the kids carried a shopping bag bigger than he was. Unbeknownst to him, he was dragging it on the ground through the night, and little by little his candy was falling out. When he got home, there was a hole in the bottom of the bag and very little candy! What a tragedy! I know Halloween traditions have changed over the years, but kids still have fun choosing the perfect costume and gathering goodies at parties and trunk-or-treat events. Walter’s sister spoils her grandkids with everything spooky and scary on Halloween, including a giant skeleton looming over her front yard. (skeleton photo by C. S. Stone)

October
by Dee Bowlin

Once a year, you'll shiver and shriek,
Cowering down in fright.
The ghosts, ghouls, and goblins
Own the streets on Halloween night.
Beware of zombies and witches,
Evil vampires who grab you and bite.
Run door to door—but carry a bright flashlight!