Halloween

[East TX granny]

 I know it's about a month away, but do you have many kids come to your house? Do you think many kids will be out this year? I keep hearing some of the towns have cancelled it this year, but some people are saying they are going to do it anyway.  Do you think if the police catches the kids going trick or treating they will press charges on the parents of the kids and the house giving out candy? I never have any kids come by but I fix little goodie bags for the kids next door and take to them.

[Patricia]

We have had trunk or treat the past few years and I love it. It's all on Main St and if you want to participate you can. We live  farther down on our street and  don't do trick or treat any more. We just leave the light out and kids seem to get what that means.

[Karin M Fichtner]

I have always handed out treats. And this neighborhood is perfect....lots of families with kids, and quiet streets. But our Fearless Leader, Gov. Northam, frowns on such frivolity, so I am not buying candy this year. I will leave my light out. I will miss sitting out on the porch with my electric pumpkin, seeing all their costumes and meeting my neighbors. :-(

[MTwoman]

Never, ever, in the 26 years I've lived here. There is a housing development next to me, but no access and its very dark here. I did my bit in CA. Have no idea what they around around here, if anything.

[East TX granny]

 With all the meanness going on in the world right now I'd be afraid to open my door to a stranger. You never know what's going to happen. It's hard to trust people now.

[Jozee]

Oh I agree!

[Syble]

Trick or treaters have dwindled the past few years.  My street is only a block long and dead-ends into a cemetery.  Only had two last year.  Will not be handing out this year.  There will be a trunk or treat a few blocks away. 

[officerripley]

What's trunk or treat? Don't think I've heard of that before.

[Syble]

Trunk or Treat is where people drive their cars or pickups etc. to a park or designated area and fill the back of their vehicles with candy and kids go from vehicle to vehicle and get their treats.  It is all very well supervised. 

[officerripley]

Oh, okay; thanks, Syble; that's a good idea. In our town, they've had a thing (can't remember the cute name they gave it) where parents can take the kids to the downtown area, 2 blocks, and the kids could trick-or-treat at the various stores. I doubt they'll do it this year, though.

[Grandma Helen]

I don't have any kids here because I live on a street that's a mile long with only 12 houses.  Way back in the day when we lived in a single family home in suburban MD we had tons of kids.  I always enjoyed seeing the little ones all dressed up.  I had four boys but by then they were past that stage of life.  I do remember taking the boys when they were younger and it always seemed to either rain or was cold, especially when we still lived in NY.  Do I think it's a good idea this year?  I think it depends on where folks live and the chances of them getting too close together with all the excitement.  I remember the mob scenes at my door at times and I wouldn't feel safe if I had kids now.  Of course if they all wore masks it might be safe.  

[Grandma Helen]

MTwoman, I think this area is similar.  We are the last house at the end of the mile long street.  Very quiet  My neighbor would probably yell at the kids.  We heard him yelling at the deer one morning while they munched on his bushes.  They looked up and kept going.  We call him the grumpy old man.  Actually very funny guy but he complains all the time.

[East TX granny]

I had a grumpy old man for a neighbor once. He complained about everything. I had heard he was having a hard time and sometimes ate cat food because he didn't have any money. I started taking him a plate of food every evening after I cooked dinner. He finally calmed down and didn't gripe so much.