Lots of homemade costumes. Some were store-bought. Mickey Mouse and wife Minnie. Super Man was a huge demand. Cowboy outfits. Hobos. Rabbit Ears. Fairies. A few witches. We had Beggars night which was the night before the Big Night. Some grumpy people didn’t like but most played along if they were certified residents of at least 10 years. It was a tradition started by some genius way before us.

The Big Night!!! Most kids carried huge paper bags to handle the loot. No plastic bags back then. Some plastic pumpkins with a handle were used by tiny kids. It was all over by about 8 pm for the newbies and unprofessional kids. Candy bars. Popcorn balls. Taffy candy with orange or black wrappers. Various other junk candy.

My sister ( the wretch) dressed up as a human daisy. She had a crown of foot-long fake daisy flowers strapped to her head. She looked like a demented peacock and I was embarrassed for her. The wretch had one girlfriend who would be kind enough to accompany her on Halloween night. The wretch insisted that the friend shine her flashlight upon her beady eyes and show off her flowers. Such a demanding wretch she was.

I dressed as a hobo that year. Easy with some of the clothes I was given. When the wretched daisy left the house, I quickly took her pink pillowcase with me to gather my loot...genius idea. I worked several neighborhoods until about 10pm. The last hour and a half was dangerous because most kids gave up by then and most adults were dressed in their sleepwear when I gave the wrap on their locked door. Common terse and untoward comments were as follows... “Why are you out this late?”  Or “What is your name?”  I just nervously giggled and said “Treat, please. I’m doing this for my little sister.” They fell for it most of the time. I was carrying that stupid pink pillowcase. I think I had about 40 pounds of delight and trudged home. My mother was standing behind the front door when I dragged the pink thing inside. I was dead on arrival but it was worth it. The Wretch refused to use the pillowcase that night. Insisted that it be washed first. Some people are very sensitive about various half-chewed pieces of candy stuck inside their pillowcases. Wow!  See what I mean about my sister?

Life can be tough!  Grab all the sweet things you can.

Hug your kids and love your neighbor – Nelly.