Our house is ready, complete with scarry decorations, spooky music, and 2 big bags of my wife's favorite candy.  All this for the four or maybe five kids who dare knock on our door.  And in a way, that makes me alittle sad.  Halloween's just not what it used to be. Hundereds of kids knocking, and really having the chance to have your house 'egged' if you gave them something crappy.

As a kid growing up in New England, I recall my big brother dragging and screaming at me to common, so we could get to as many houses as we could.  The winding dark roads, the chill in the air, the costumes, all neighborhood kids in groups.  The different bands of kids meeting up at the end of a block to discuss which houses they went to gave great candy, and which houses to toiletpaper.  Now I sound alittle like Ralphie in the movie 'A Christmas Story'.  But those really WERE more innocent times. Just what do kids do now???

Of course there's more danger in today's society. A parent can't let any kid out of sight, which really leads to the tragedy of what we call now Halloween.  A shopping mall, or other planned event just isn't the same as the old door to door.  I say that is TOO BAD! Not just for the kids, but for folks like me and my wife who get nostalgic over it.  Although my wife's taking it better than me, for she'll have almost 2 big bags of her favorite candy to eat!  10/30/09