Hallowe'en

What is it about Hallowe'en that is so thrilling? Maybe it's being out after dark, something that all mothers, including my own, discouraged - even forbade. Maybe it is being out after dark with your friends? Certainly, the assumed identities add to the fun - even if it's just a sheet with eye holes poked through. The bad candy is definitely a part of the thrill, too, but for me there was also a certain amount of delicious terror in approaching strangers' houses to beg for treats. Who knew what might happen?

Whatever the components, it all adds up to an awful lot of fun. We just returned from spending Hallowe'en with our granddaughter. She was dressed as a flamenco dancer, all red flounces with black polka dots - her Daddy brought her that outfit when he made a business trip to Barcelona recently. Her hair is too fine to hold a comb and a mantilla, but she has natural spit curls on her cheeks, so she really looked the part. She told anyone who asked that she was a flamingo - the nuances of costume may be lost on a three year old.

It was snapping cold and already dark by 6:30 in Boston where she lives. She and her three pals (a fireman, a dragon and Snow White) went Trick or Treating to perhaps six houses, netting a goodly amount of candy for such a short outing. We kicked through drifts of dry leaves on the sidewalks and shivered in the moonlight, catching glimpses of older children running from house to house - ghosts, axe murderers, vampires for a night.

Things have changed since I was a kid. Most of the costumes are no longer made at home. Most of the kids are escorted by their parents, even the older ones. Most of the treats are store bought, not made at home. The "Switch Witch" now trades most of the candy for toys while the children are asleep to save the parents from the inevitable sugar high the next day. But, the fun is the same. The novelty of being out in the dark and the thrill of the free loot haven't changed at all. I'm grateful for that.

Hallowe'en Whimsy

One of the best aspects of life in California is the relish with which Californians embrace Hallowe'en. Having spent 20 years in a part of the country where the approach to this holiday is more dutiful than joyous (and, in their defense, it's hard to get excited about dressing up in costume when you will likely have to cover it up with a down jacket to survive the late October frost), I have found delight in the childlike pleasure Californians bring to it.

I always look forward to seeing the costumes. I've had whole families (Mom, Dad, two young children, a baby and the family black lab) dressed as superheroes; adorable little girls in pink fluff lisping that they are dressed as "pwincesses;"a 10 year old FBI G-man with snap brim hat, trench coat and brief case who reached into his breast pocket, flipped open his wallet to show his ID, then demanded, completely straight-faced, "Ma'am, I'm investigating a report that you've been giving candy to minors; is that true, ma'am?" Taken aback, I stammered, "Well, yes..." to which he replied, still unsmiling, "In that case, ma'am, Trick or Treat," and opened his briefcase for me to drop some candy in. Even our teenagers get into the spirit. I can't wait to see the ghoulies and ghosties who show up this year!

I found these candles and holders in a gift shop in Virginia but they have the whimsical California spirit written all over them. We've enjoyed them for the past week and if you know where I can get some replacement candles as goofy and funny as these, I'd appreciate a tip.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Spooky Stuff

To get myself in the mood for Hallowe'en, I decided to clean out my refrigerator. There's more scary stuff in there than in all of Transylvania.

I discovered the molasses, for example, that I was searching for back in September when I made the pear cake - I knew it was in the house somewhere but I never thought to check the fridge.

I rather expected to find the ancient tub of crême fraiche would be growing greenish-gray spots (and it was) and I wasn't surprised to find a different sort of fungus growing on the little bit of homemade peach jam I had left too long, but who knew that straight lemon juice would grow the most dramatic mold of all, proving beyond a doubt that life can exist in every milieu, no matter how harsh? I expect they will find mold growing on Mars once we get there.

The worst of the scary finds was surely the six big shrimp that I tucked away in the fridge back when I was making the shrimp soup - not so very long ago, really - figuring I'd save them from overcooking by adding new ones when I reheated the soup - only, they got pushed back behind something else and forgotten. Luckily, they were well wrapped or I'd have gagged getting them out to the garbage can.

Do you recall the episode of the TV show "Dinosaurs" called "When Good Food Goes Bad?" The contents of their fridge come alive and kidnap the baby dinosaur while the teenage dinos are babysitting. It comes vividly to mind whenever I clean out my fridge.

Happy Hallowe'en!