Tag Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat -ish, Part Last

Michael 9 Comments

Well here we are. The big day. The day that began with people wearing costumes to ward off ghosts to a day to honor the dead, to a day for kids to fill their bags with candy, to the day when adults get as drunk as on St. Patrick’s Day. So here we are with some more of my ghoulish thoughts. Innumerable. And for the last time. (Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and cheer.)

 

THOUGHT 1

Did you know the 25% of all candy sold in the US is at Halloween. Take that St. Valentine! And last year, Americans spent nearly $500 million on costumes — for their pets! Both of those facts are courtesy of History.com. If anybody should know what has happened, it would be them. (Hmm I wonder…if anybody would know what has happened, it should be them. I’m not sure which way. If anybody has an strong opinion on that, I’d love to hear about it. Anyway…) I think that’s a TREAT, or at least it’s pretty cute.

According to the American Addiction Center, Halloween is the fifth booziest American holiday. That’s plenty enough on that topic. TRICK

 

THOUGHT 2

You might have seen over the weekend news about the tragedy in South Korea – over 150 people were killed and another 130-plus injured in a crowd surge. The details of what initiated the stampede were not clear by the last time I checked the news. What was known is that it started at a Halloween party and many of the victims were in costume. I’m a country not known for celebrating Halloween. TRICK, BAD TRICK.

I’m sure you didn’t see this in the news but around here almost every community’s fire company’s held Halloween parades, costume parties, and “Truck or Treats.” SUPER FUN BIG TREAT!!

 

THOUGHT 3

There is only one week left till the American general election. I hate to start a sentence like this but…I remember when candidates had pithy little sayings (remember All the way with LBJ?), and then they’d even mention some of their qualifications or at least attributes. Now it is more a matter of how bad can you portray your opponent? Here in my neck of the woods we’ve heard candidates called extreme, dangerous, radical, a fraud, and delusional. Imagine going into a job interview and telling your prospective boss, “You should hire me. I can’t give you any good reason to, but I can tell you that other guy who was just here is delusional.” How can you even say that in an ad. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. TRICK, DISGUSTING TRICK.

Yesterday was National Candy Corn Day. Candy corn is a superfood and a perfect food. I know because I said so here.  I also said, “As far as candy goes, Candy Corn is a healthy snack. Umm, healthier snack. Each serving, officially 15 pieces or one generous handful, is fat and cholesterol free, low sodium, and contains 22 grams of sugar and only 110 calories. Unlike real corn it is also fiber free so they’ll be no uncomfortable bloating.” What more could you ask for? (What more can you ask for? I have to research conditional tenses before next week. Anyway…) Candy corn leaves a good taste in my mouth. SUPER BIG BETTER THAN PEANUT BUTTER TREAT!!!

BONUS THOUGHT

Did you know we are forever learning, growing, and evolving, and are perpetual works in progress on a permanent quest for improvement. Read why we say never resist a temporary inconvenience if it results in a permanent improvement at ROAMcare.org. (Believe me, it will be a TREAT!)

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Trick or Treat – ish

Michael 6 Comments

Today I will present to you another edition of some things that have been floating around in my brain.

THOUGHT ONE

Last week, for the first time in 8 years I was in an airplane. People were polite, the flight was good, the flight attendants seemed happy enough considering they were actually at work. And they snacks weren’t bad. And they still had snacks. It was direct flight so I didn’t have to deal with a rush of angry travelers rushing from gauge to gate for a connecting flight. Even though it was over 5 hours, thanks to the technology of sound cancellation and in flight Wi-Fi I hardly noticed. TREAT!

Last week, for the first time in 8 years I was in an airport. The gate agents were meaner than I remembered, the chairs in the gate area were more uncomfortable than I remembered, baggage claim was slower than I remembered. TRICK.

Last week, for the first time in 8 years I had to go through airport security. The line was short, the line moved fast, every TSA agent was pleasant and one actually helpful! PEANUT BUTTER CUP TREAT!!

THOUGHT TWO

I don’t have any data to confirm it but I think football season is bringing out even more o the worst in those trending to a return of Neanderthalism. It was one of my more distressing days, physically speaking. Some days I move with great agility and grace. Most days I move like the clutz (klutz?, yeah, klutz), most days I move like the klutz I have ungracefully grown into, Occasionally I have days I can barely walk without super lot of “dear God please let me finish what I need to do and get home and cry” type pain days. This was one of those days. It was also the day I was circling the parking lot looking for somewhere, anywhere close to the store’s entrance. It was also the day every handicap spot was taken by a monster of a “look at me I’m a man and I still make testosterone” pickup truck. One in particular stood out. That was the one speeding through the lot, not stopping at crosswalks, and swerving around 3 pedestrians like there were orange cones in an obstacle course into the last handicap spot. As he hopped out of the driver’s side I heard shout to presumably somebody with very poor taste in “men” in the passenger seat, “fxxx fxxx-ing light beer. You’ll drink what I fxxx-ing buy!” The voice inside said, “Whatever, just hurry so we don’t miss kick-off again!” SUPER BAD TRICK!!!

I don’t have any data to confirm it but I think most complain, critique, and criticize without ever experiencing that which they complain about, critique, and criticize. Case in point, see above helpful TSA

Agent. I was approaching the line entrances dragging my rolling carry-on (roll-on? Hmm, no, that’s deodorant), anyway, I was dragging rolling carry-on, “personal item” slung over my shoulder, cane keeping me from listing too far starboard, err, falling over. He came over to me and asked if I wanted any help, a chair or one of their little golf cart thingies (I know it has a more official sounding name but you know what I mean), and I said no thank you, I move a little slower than I used to but I’m fine. He asked me if I had the TSA Pre-Check and when I said no, he led to a line that labeled First Class and Special Passengers. “I’m declaring you my special passenger. Have a good, safe flight.” SUPER GOOD TREAT!!!

THOUGHT THREE

It’s pumpkin pie season again! TREAT!

It’s pumpkin spice everything under the sun season again. TRICK.

THOUGHT FOUR

The reason I was in the airport on the plane was to visit a dear friend I speak to daily but haven’t seen in over 2 years. EXTRA SUPER TREAT!!!!

The best times like visiting a dear friend you have seen in so long are always over too fast. THE WORST TRICK EVER.

THOUGHT END

Have an extra super good and safe week everybody! Till next time…

THOUGHT EXTRA

How much have you missed while you were waiting for the right moment, waiting for better odds? How would you like a 50/50 chance of getting anything you want? You already do! Read how to get those odds at ROAMcare.org. (That’s a TREAT worth looking into!)

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Let’s Be Careful Out There

Michael Leave a comment

The great candy/costume countdown has begun!  Depending on where you live it could be just 4, 5, or 6 short days till Treat or Treat Night.  We’d say till Halloween but that’s always October 31 no matter what calendar you’re using.  Why the varied time spans?  Because October 31 (Halloween, remember) is on a Friday this year.  We don’t know about where you are but here that’s high school football playoff time.

So people don’t have to decide between the lessor of the two evils (or greater of the two hauls), many municipalities within school districts involved in the playoffs are opting to move one or the other.  Since football is an immovable feast, Trick or Treat is the one to go.  It seems like that might confuse the ones who are the most excited about Trick or Treating (Halloween party attendees excluded).  Those would be the little ones, the same little ones who watch the television sit coms and specials that feature their stars Trick or Treating on Halloween – a sort of novel concept for this year.

A quick check on the Internet revealed that at least 26 communities in our county (out of 100+) are holding onto tradition, including both He and She’s. It just seems right that Trick or Treat happens on Halloween.

But there could be issues.  And not just football conflicts.  Most places allow Trick or Treating from 6 to 8pm.  Most football games start at 7.  There could be a mad rush at the beginning of the tour with folks hurrying to still make it to the games.  And it is a Friday.  There will be parties – house parties, office parties, bar parties.  All of them will have people rushing to and fro, mostly in SUVs way too big for just one person versus multiple children.   And then we’ll add that here our local weather forecast is calling for mild and clear all week long, except for Friday night when it will be cold and rainy.  Translation: it will be slippery and extra dark.

Even with the potential for problems Halloween fun belongs on Halloween, including Trick or Treat.  Kids are kids only once (Halloween party attendees excluded).  We just have to make sure that the potential for avoiding problems is stronger than the reverse.  Halloween night, it’s always a great evening for a neighborhood stroll – just be careful out there!

Now that’s what we think. Really. How ‘bout you.

 

Prepping for Halloween

Michael Leave a comment

Tonight is All Hallows’ Eve, better known as Halloween, better known still as Trick or Treat.  It’s a holiday, a festival, a night out for the children, but darned if we don’t enjoy it too.  No, not at costumes parties.  At the front door watching the little ones parade up and down the street.

She of We doesn’t see many trick or treaters.  Other than a next door neighbor, all the little ones have grown into real adults.  But her porch is still festive for the day.  Scarecrows greet you from the street to the door.  Number Two Son of She has turned into a pumpkin carving expert, pairing up two carved gourds as kid friendly couples ala Woody and Buzz Lightyear to the children’s delight.  He of We mounds some plastic pumpkins for a less labor intense look.  They are all different but all say the same.  Come on up and let us treat you.

Now, pumpkin carving, mum selecting, hay stack gathering all notwithstanding, the hardest part of prepping for Halloween is selecting the treats.  So many choices.  Do you go with full size candy bars and let word spread down the blocks that yours is the house to visit?  Do you go for fun size and insist that each T-n-T-er take several at your one stop variety shop?  Do you have treats targeted to specific age groups knowing the smallest of the crowd, those carried in a patient parent’s arms, will not appreciate the same caramel filled goodies as the six your olds?  So many choices.  And then there is the quantity.  You don’t want to run out but how much is enough.  Will impending foul weather shrink your number of visitors?  Will you need more for a projected 50 degree night than if it were a 30 degree evening?

Yes, here is where the real planning takes shape.  You know you’ve hit it right when you turn off the light, close the door, and have a piece left for each treat distributor.  Of course, if you should happen to have a few hundred pieces left over, well, it’s not right to waste food.

Now, that’s what we think.  Really.  How ‘bout you?

 

Sincerity, Thy Name is Pumpkin

Michael Leave a comment

Yesterday was Halloween.  You can’t tell it from where we live.  We’re in the vast portion of the country between the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast.  More recently known as Superstorm Sandy’s Playground.  The local officials aren’t eliminating Halloween but they are postponing it.

A lot of postponing went on the past few days here and probably across most of the country.  If you mess around with plane and train schedules on one half of the country, the other half is pretty much going to be in disarray also.  When most retailers have their headquarters in the storm zone, distribution is slowed, sales strategies stay buried on someone’s computer, and ads don’t get approved.   Almost all of our coal is brought to or carried over that eastern U.S. surface, some of which is 14 to 20 feet underwater.  Let’s not even think of how it is below the surface.

Yep, lots is delayed, lots has to be rebuilt, lots is going to be different. 

But what isn’t going to be different is a child’s awe at a pumpkin’s smile glowing from within.  What isn’t different is how many children get their first taste of independence when they pick up their treat bag and get to walk up and down the street on their own.  With an older brother or sister.  And don’t cross the street.  And be back by 6:30.  But still they are on their own.  What can’t be different is a child’s look of amazement as the treat bag is tipped onto the dining room table revealing the kid equivalent of a pirate’s booty and worth even more.  What won’t ever be different is a child’s first laugh when Charlie Brown looks into his bag and says, “I got a rock.”

Yep. Lots is still the same.

Charles Schulz’s little gang is always there to teach us something.  Who else can teach us how to duck a baseball batted back over the pitcher’s mound, how to make a feast out of toast and popcorn, how to decorate a Christmas tree, and how to turn a rock into a Halloween treat?  Those little guys have a lifetime of wisdom to pass on to us youngsters.

Yep, lots is going to be different. 

Here’s hoping that the only thing different for you is that when you went looking for your own Great Pumpkin this morning is that your pumpkin patch was sincere enough last night.

Now, that’s what we think. Really. How ‘bout you?