Greetings! Or, you know – BOO!
Tacking on a lower case “boo” as well since I have to sheepishly admit that due to some recent and unexpected tricks, my post about an almost-but-not-quite brush with Queen Elizabeth some years ago is not yet ready to publish…
I refuse to entertain the idea that this delay could have been avoided if I completed my writing early each month instead of almost always at the very last minute. Some might judge me a procrastinator – but I prefer to think of my perpetually tight timing as a vital part of the creative process! Yeah, that’s definitely it.
In any case, for now I’ll just send good wishes to those who are doing some trick-or-treating or other reveling this Halloween! (And good wishes too even if you’re not!)
And since the post to come has to do with Remembrance Day, I’ll try and have it ready for the 11th – which means I’ll be finishing it up on the 10th…
Cheers!
”Just remember – the sooner you fall behind, the longer you have to get caught up!”
– Amy Parmeter (as a college freshman)
TESSEROLOGY 
We’ve been heavily influenced over here in the UK by the USA’s ‘obsession’ with Halloween. It’s now big business here. Pumpkins everywhere! Just a few years ago you’d hardly ever see a pumpkin. We made lanterns from turnips when I was a youngster (I’m coming up to my 74th birthday). Anyway, my wife and I are all set for a steady stream of ‘trick or treaters’ this evening. Candy bags at the ready.
Interesting! (And it is, indeed, a bit of an obsession over here!) Yes, somewhere in the overseas translation, we went from turnips to pumpkins. And I do like a good cheery jack o’ lantern, even if I never got the knack of carving one. Thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoy your Halloween visitors and, most important, hope there’s a bit of candy left at the end of the night for you!
Based on the number of ‘trick or treaters’ in 2021, we bought in sufficient candy stocks. But, we only had two visitors (3 children in total). I just didn’t hear the children out and about last night. Anyway, the outcome is that I have a candy stock to last me until New Year!
A reward for being prepared! I’m tucked away in a gated apartment so I don’t get trick or treaters. I used to buy candy just in case, but afraid with sweets around, my willpower doesn’t withstand the test…
I don’t understand the US obsession with Halloween. When I was a child in Scotland we made turnip lanterns like Mike says, ‘dooked’ for apples and ate treacle scones. Some children went ‘guising’, asking for money in return for a wee song or joke, but there was none of that awful expectation of getting sweets/candies.
And ‘penny for the guy’ of course, ready for 5 November. I have grandchildren in Minnesota – they are very excited about Halloween, as are many of the ‘big children’. 🙂
Well, I just learned something new! I knew about Guy Fawkes but didn’t know about “penny for the guy”. Since any money I might have gotten that way would have gone to candy anyhow, I guess trick or treating was just cutting out a step! Hope the grandkids – as well as the big kids – have a great time!
From the photos I was sent, they did! I think our other grandchildren, just 5 miles away in Newcastle, probably had a good time as well.
Glad to hear it! Trick or treating may be a bit of an odd custom, but it sure can be fun!
Ah yes,,,penny for the guy…I think Scottish children mixed Halloween and Guy Fawkes together – money gathered at Halloween went to buy fireworks!
‘Penny for the guy’ was a big thing when I was growing up in the English Midlands in the early 50s. The guy would then be burnt ceremoniously on a bonfire (aka Bonfire Night = 5 November). All to do with commemoration the the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, and the role of Guy Fawkes.
You know, I kind of agree with you! Now that the lure of getting candy isn’t as strong, the whole thing does look a bit strange. My neighbors are very much into decorating their yards, and it runs from cute and goofy to positively gruesome… As a kid, I also “bobbed” for apples – and treacle scones sound good! It’s fun to hear about other traditions – thanks for sharing yours!
Thanks Amy – I should make some treacle scones and blog about it, but won’t attempt to eat a buttered one with my hands tied behind my back and the scone dangling on a string…. 🙂
Ha! I think that’s a great idea – and a wise decision to enjoy them by a bit more conventional means!
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/happy-halloween-animated-images-15.webp
Happy Halloween 🎃
Thanks – you too! 👻
🙏💙🧙♀️🙏💙
I put salt across every threshold to my home to prevent evil entering. Somehow I ve never got the idea of finding evil and horror funny, but I like pumpkins!
I know what you mean… I think I used to feel the need to test myself and see if I could deal with a scary movie or face a fear. Now I pick my battles a bit more. And I like pumpkins too! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
Howdy. Here’s a quote that is somewhat related to yours. While at college, many years ago, I heard a fraternity-mate of mine say this in re essay-type exams: “I never let the question get in the way of my answer.”
Ooo, that’s a good one! Will add it to my arsenal of rationalizations – I mean “words of wisdom”! Many thanks!
Hi Amy!
Even when you are brief, you can trigger a memory.
It was probably 1979 or 80 and I was passing by the Community Center on my way home from CCC on Halloween. It was just getting dark and the Trick or Treaters were already out in force. I had never watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown then but after Jack told me a summary of the story I felt rather Charlie Brownish. No party invitation, no costume. Rocks again.
Then, as I was passing through the parking lot I saw a lit jack o lantern burning brightly just inside the glass front doors. I took out my AC2 key and decided to investigate. There in the back office was Jack with his books open doing homework. Apparently our boss Cliff decided it was wise to pay someone responsible to make sure the center wasn’t targeted on this naughty night. He closed his books and we ate the candy in the office and talked about the usual: movies, girls, Star Trek and life goals. About 10 minutes later Joe stopped by also to check out the glowing pumpkin. Within the hour there were 4 or 5 of us laughing and joking. Nothing exciting happened. Just another joyful evening spent with friends and without many a teen’s constant companion: loneliness.
Aw, a nice memory! You and Jack used to pretty much run that place! Glad you found some companions that night, and I’m sure Jack enjoyed the company too!