AlisonH
Nobody told the British Mormon missionary, carving his first pumpkin, that you’re supposed to cut the top off going at an angle so it won’t fall in on itself when you’re done–so his jack o’lantern ended up with a hat on its bald head, a pumpkin with a costume. (And he did an impressive job making an expressive face, but I don’t have a picture–you’ll just have to take it on faith.)
The hubby bought candy. So did I. Oops. Total number of small children: about 10. Medium-sized children: 1. “Take some more” can only be repeated so many times and be gotten away with when the child’s mom or dad is standing right there knowing full well what you’re up to: better your fight with yourselves than ours with our kids, was the unspoken smiling conversation.
Where are the towering greedy teenagers in goofy outfits when you need them?
I put Michelle’s jack o’lantern on the back patio afterwards to see, today, if the wild things might take interest. The wild things’ reaction was they weren’t going anywhere near that scarecrow head–we had a squirrel-free zone and even ground-bird-free zone all the way till this afternoon, till finally one towhee braved that patio. Did I get to see gray squirrels doing the bobbing-apple dive for the seeds or the peanut butter I put inside that pumpkin? Did I get to videotape baby black squirrels climbing through eyeballs? No I did not. Two finally showed up and only one so much as deigned to sniff in poor Jack’s direction. Rejection is brutal.
It didn’t hit me till later that for all but that one older kid, we could have skipped the candy thing entirely and helped Peruvian women feed their children actual and decent food: the handknitted fingerpuppets! Â The little ones would have been thrilled! Their fingers could have been costumed year-round!
I AM slow sometimes! Oh well. Now you know what I’m doing next year, and the cash outlay will actually be less.
Except for a small bag of Reese’s. For that one eight-year-old. And maybe (not that I’m admitting it) me.
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I bet that tomorrow Jack will be besieged for all the goodies inside!
Comment by Kathy in San Jose 11.01.09 @ 9:32 pmMe, too. Send the address again, will you?
Comment by sherry in idaho 11.01.09 @ 10:29 pmZero kids – it ebbs and flows here. When the girls were little it was kid central. It’s a good thing that the candy I bought was one that I don’t particularly care for. Off to work it goes!
Comment by afton 11.02.09 @ 4:37 amWhat a neat idea! (The finger puppets, I mean. Although I’m sure the older child will appreciate the candy too…)
Comment by Channon 11.02.09 @ 6:51 amWhen I saw the pictures of this post, my first thought was : “Wow! She gave some of those away! How brilliant!”. And then, I read the post. Oops! lol
My mother did the candy thing this year and it was pure joy to hear her when she saw the children with their costumes. Every time she opened her door, she sounded like she had been expecting them. Warmed my heart!
Many times, she had to get up during dinner to answer the door and jumped happily when the doorbell rang. I hadn’t thought she missed Halloween as much. Good lesson for me!
Comment by Suzanne in Mtl 11.02.09 @ 6:56 amIn about three weeks take a basket of candy with you to church, to be put out for the children at social hour, or Sunday School, or whatever gathering you have. They’ll be amazed and feel loved!
Comment by Barbara-Kay 11.02.09 @ 7:35 amLike afton, I didn’t get any trick-or-treaters either, sadly. I live at the end of a cul-du-sac in a neighborhood of older families, with two boarded up properties nearby so it wasn’t a surprise, My teen is delighted to have the bag of 22 mini Aeros/Smarties/Pastilles and MilkyBar buttons all to herself. Again like afton, I bought a variety pack I can easily pass on (oh, how I was tempted to get the 2-for-1 Kitkats, though!)
Comment by LynnM 11.02.09 @ 10:00 amYou can always send the candy to Operation Gratitude or anybody you know in Afghanistan or Iraq. What they don’t eat they give to local children and others.
(I never give candy, and thanks to location and storms, have a lot of glowsticks left this year. Well, they won’t spoil before next year!)
Comment by Margo Lynn 11.02.09 @ 10:21 amAmalie and I moved in here 38 years ago. That first year Am stocked up with some candy, and we waited with anticipation. Nothing. In 38 years there has never been a trick-or treater at our door.
Fun –
They hold elections in November because it’s the best time to pick out turkeys.
She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg, but broke it off.
If God wanted us to vote, he’d have given us candidates.
Every calendar’s days are numbered.
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
Comment by Don Meyer 11.02.09 @ 10:47 amAlison, is there an on-line place where I could look at the Peruvian finger puppets? They are so cute!
We had two trick-or-treaters, a boy and girl around 15 yrs. old. Some years we get a bunch, some years none as we live down a long dark driveway. I never normally buy chocolate bars so I’m enjoying these leftovers. I’m sure my hips will enjoy them too!
66 trick or treaters for us this year…and that’s down from years past. I was prepared for 120. You can guess where that extra chocolate is going. Why I don’t just attach it to my thighs & save time is beyond me, but it is so good going down!
Tell us, Alison, about the Peruvian finger puppets!
Comment by Cathy 11.02.09 @ 2:35 pmOur outdoor neighborhood party had fewer children than usual. It did rain off and on. And I understand lots of kids have the flu. What surprised me, though, was the half dozen adults with fabulous Halloween costumes. Our party felt especially festive for their presence.
Comment by RobinM 11.02.09 @ 4:18 pmYou often mention those little finger puppets. Where do you buy them? Is there an online link? Could you share it in one of your postings? Thanks……
Comment by Cynthia Kurath 11.02.09 @ 6:38 pmMr. Turtle looks like he’s having a grand time in that basket!
Comment by Diana Troldahl 11.03.09 @ 3:39 pmI love those puppets, what a hoot!! I’m knitting a toy called a zozo from knitty.com, but knitting toys is not my favorite thing to do, not sure what made me do it ;P.
Comment by ldsvenus 11.03.09 @ 7:17 pm9 out of 10 yard critters agree, jack-o’lanterns are better the next day! Just like human spaghetti 🙂
Comment by Cathy (catsandyarn on Rav) 11.03.09 @ 8:37 pmBut…but….then how will I sneak the chocolate into the house if I get rid of the excuse that’s it’s for the trick or treaters??? But I do like the idea. I might do that TOO….if I can remember it next year
Comment by Carol 11.04.09 @ 7:12 amLeave a comment
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