This is the time of year I get up on my soap-box about Halloween. (some would say I am on it all the time but that is another pigtrail-lol)

My birthday is the night before Halloween. I love Halloween! In the past few years I have noticed something very disturbing - the vilification of Halloween. So, no more Trick-or-Treating, no more spooky decorations, etc... However they WILL allow a Fall Festival. What, I want to know is different about a Fall Festival? Sooo if Halloween is evil why isn't a Fall Festival?? I mean honestly-get real. In many cultures it is called "The Day of the Dead" to honor your ancestors who have gone before. "All Hallows Eve" better known as "All Saints Eve" is another term for it. IT IS NOT EVIL.

OK- I will stop now-lol. Off the soap box and on to some spooky memories.

I remember when I was small my mother dressed me up in her skirt and blouse. It was tan with embroidery on the edges and I thought it looked like a gypsy outfit. She painted my face with her makeup and I wore as many of her beaded necklaces that I could get on. I had a scarf on my head and clip on earrings.(boy do they pinch!) Daddy and I set out to get the loot while Momma stayed home to hand out the candy.

One house was all decorated up with ghosts hanging from the trees. It looked so scary that I was kinda afraid to go up to the door but Daddy said it would be OK. So slowly I went and hollered out-TRICK-OR-TREAT!!! A witch greeted us and invited me in! Inside it was dark and lit by candles. The witch took me over to a table with caramel apples and popcorn balls. There in the middle was a bowl of punch with smoke coming out of it-a witches brew!! It was spooky but I knew I was safe with my Daddy there.

I don't remember much else of that evening. I think it must have been that last time my Daddy went with me. In years to come I would be old enough to go out alone with friends. Of all the fun times I had with my buddies this remains as my best Halloween memory.

Now a days children do not go out into the night much alone or with parents. Each year the numbers get less and less. Such a shame. How I long for the days of spooks coming to the door yelling as loud as they can