Sugar For Free!

Like Lady Linoleum, I love Halloween! It's the one day of the year you can dress-up in a costume and no one will think you odd. For one night strange neighborhood children will come to your door and you'll give them free candy—or, you can take your dressed-up self and wander the streets with your bag and collect a booty of sugary-wealth to consume until a parental figure says you'll get sick if you keep eating too much candy.

It is a time to decorate your house in festive lights, carve a pumpkin, and consider for a moment (even if subconsciously) the realm of the dead and all things spookable.

Our first year in The Pearl House I was pleased with my 60-something little ghosts and ghouls who honored my doorstep seeking free sugar. It was the first time in my life I got to play "the adult" role of handing out delicious candy. I loved every moment of it. I didn't have a costume to wear, so I made one up (I think). Then last year I splurged and bought a cheap (well, not so cheap) Wal-Mart sorceress dress and haunting cape! (That's me up above)

I also buy those "master carver" patterns as you can see that Pooky can really do a good job with them. I have to stick to the ones that have large spaces, so I mostly make moons out of my pumpkin. He has a knack for all of that. And he also has a knach for consuming large quantities of sugar without ill effects. I am amazed at his prowess to snarf down countless Tootsie™ rolls without looking green.

Our second year at The Pearl House word had spread that I was a candy-giving maven and I had 70-something visitors. This year I'm aiming for 100. The trick is to figure out two things: 1) how much candy to buy for the kids; 2) how much candy to buy for Pooky. He pouted last year when I gave out all of the candy. Mind you, he had been given two 3½ bags to enjoy prior to the holiday!

So come one, come all! Walk down the pumpkin lit way to The Pearl House and knock on The Shrone's door. Be greeted with a cackle and a whopping handful of treats! Celebrate the season with jack o'lanterns and don your best costume. Grab a large bag and roam the neighborhood and be kindly rewarded for your efforts. And if we're lucky the light of the full moon will shine to guide the way.

Take heed, for Halloween is the kick-off for Thanksgiving and then the Yule, and last but not least, the New Year!