Now the second largest commercial holiday in the U.S., Americans spent over $6 Billion last year on Halloween.
This is a holiday that started with the Celtics, continued on through Popes and country's, each bringing different superstitions, beliefs and celebrations. I highly recommend that you go on line and check out Halloween History if this interests you. I think it is fascinating. It explains why masks, costumes, bobbing for apples etc.
In my Halloween history I think the first time I went trick or treating was in 1936 and it was quite different than it is today. If we wore a costume, our mother made it. Our masks were made out of some kind of heavy material that was probably starched onto a form.(If anyone knows what they were made of I would like to know.)
Trick or treat had two meanings in those days. When someone came to our door, Mama, with her darling homemade cupcakes decorated to the hilt, would say "We need a trick before you get a treat." The child would then sing a song, say a poem or do something ion order to get a treat. It also hand another connotation. Tricks in those days meant soaping windows. Everyone in our neighborhood had the cleanest windows in town the next day all we had to was all the soap off our windows. Even though we had given treats, the kids would wait until the lights went out and then go soap the window. Our country kids tipped over outhouses,.Whew.........what a stinky job.
Parents didn't go with us.....it was safe to go out alone. Today, parents stand out on the sidewalk or street and watch their kids the whole time. Also, today really young kids , who look adorable, and older kids knock on doors. In my childhood, older kids wouldn't dream of trick or treating, it was only a little kids thing.
I can't believe I am telling this, but the Halloween I will remember the rest of my life is when my son was seven years old. My husband was in the Navy and we lived in a Quonset hut. There were rows and rows of huts with their corrugated metal roofs. My friend Ursie and I sent my 7 year old out with her 4 year old daughter with their little masks and paper bags. In just a short time, both kids came home crying. A man had come to his door and was very rude and told them to get out and he scared them to death. Here is where the story gets...........you decide what.
Ursie and I were furious that an adult would be so mean to two darling little kids. Ursie and I were both short and she was skinny as any twelve year old kid. We decided we would go trick or treating for them and if any one was rude to us we would throw a rock or two up on their corrugated roof. We would show them. Ursie only had to put on a mask and she looked like a kid. I was a little more mature so I cut holes in a sheet and covered my whole body. We had a blast. We sang and we tap danced and really had fun and were collecting a lot of great candy. But then...................................
About 4 blocks from home we knocked on a door and a man came out, cursed at us and told us to get out and not come back. Well......after he was back in his house we threw a rock or two on his roof,. What we didn't expect was that he came running out of his house and started chasing us. Usrsie was smart enough to dart off into the dark. Did I? Oh no, I ran right down the row of bright lights and all of a sudden I felt a big hand grab my shoulder and say, "OK Sonny, take me home to your dad." In a wee voice I said I didn't know where my house was. He said," fine, we will keep walking until you find it." He was hurting my shoulder and I was scared to death. If I had been a child I don't know what it would do to me.(of course, kids know better than to throw rocks on peoples roofs.)
Because he wouldn't let go of me I finally went home, opened the door and looked at my husband. "Daddy, a man wants to see you." He could tell I really meant it and so he went outside. The guy said your kid threw rocks on my roof and my baby was asleep." My husband asked him if he told the kids that,. "No," he said, but they still shouldn't have done it. My husband said, "Weren't you ever a kid? You know they were just playing around. I don't know what else he said, but the big bully left.
I didn't dare tell him I was an adult as I figured as grumpy as he was he just might call the police and I would get in trouble.
There, I have confessed my greatest sin......glad it ended well, but I will never forget it, or never forget what a great husband I had.
Until next time,
Be kind to one another
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Day We All Dread
As I began getting older I often thought of people who had their children take away their car keys, or when applying for a new driver's license being told they could not pass and would not be able to drive.
Yesterday I told my son I was going to stop driving. He was amazed and said he was so glad I decided to do this on my own ans he dreaded the day when he might have to tell me he wanted my car keys.
I am rather surprised that I actually did it. I hate giving up my freedom. I didn't realize how often I hopped in my car and went to the grocery store, the many different Doctors I see, the book stores, the hair dresser, church, book club, dates for lunch etc. All this will now depend on someone taking me. I do not like to depend on other people, even my son. I hate to take up their time.
Perhaps you wonder why I would give up such freedom. I am still a good driver and I have pretty good reflexes. But I have two health problems that scare me.
I am diabetic and I have numb feet. When I am driving I can't tell if I am hitting the gas or the break. This is scarry. Two, I have macular problems in both eyes and when I drive I am not sure where the sides of the lane are. This too is very scarry. This Is why I won't endanger myself or anyone else on the road. Hard to accept, but easy to do.
I guess the reason I am telling you this is that I hope you are aware of your ablilty to drive and that you won't insist on driving when you know you should quit.
I have immediately planned things that will keep me home and still do most of the things I have always done. Yesterday I had my son take me on a few stops. First, I bought a Nook. I really didn't want one as I prefer to use books. However, my house is overrun with books and I really don't need anymore. In addition, I can now order my books on the nook, they cost a lot less and I won't have to leave the house.
Then we went grocery shopping. I bought more than I usually do so I could have a small stock[pile. He will still take me to the store, but if he couldn't I caould still have the store deliver them for a small fee.
As for church, I am sure there are any number of people that would be glad to take me. I just hate to ask.
And for the first time, I asked someone to pick me up. My friend Darcie and I were planning on going to lunch tomorrow and I told her she would need to pick me up. You have no idea how difficult thet was for me. I don't mind doing things for people, but I hate to ask people to do things for me. Guess when you get old you just have to accept the fact and continue loving the life God has given you.
Just think, if I get rid of my car, I will have a whole guarge to store stuff in. See, there is a silver lining to every cloud.
Yesterday I told my son I was going to stop driving. He was amazed and said he was so glad I decided to do this on my own ans he dreaded the day when he might have to tell me he wanted my car keys.
I am rather surprised that I actually did it. I hate giving up my freedom. I didn't realize how often I hopped in my car and went to the grocery store, the many different Doctors I see, the book stores, the hair dresser, church, book club, dates for lunch etc. All this will now depend on someone taking me. I do not like to depend on other people, even my son. I hate to take up their time.
Perhaps you wonder why I would give up such freedom. I am still a good driver and I have pretty good reflexes. But I have two health problems that scare me.
I am diabetic and I have numb feet. When I am driving I can't tell if I am hitting the gas or the break. This is scarry. Two, I have macular problems in both eyes and when I drive I am not sure where the sides of the lane are. This too is very scarry. This Is why I won't endanger myself or anyone else on the road. Hard to accept, but easy to do.
I guess the reason I am telling you this is that I hope you are aware of your ablilty to drive and that you won't insist on driving when you know you should quit.
I have immediately planned things that will keep me home and still do most of the things I have always done. Yesterday I had my son take me on a few stops. First, I bought a Nook. I really didn't want one as I prefer to use books. However, my house is overrun with books and I really don't need anymore. In addition, I can now order my books on the nook, they cost a lot less and I won't have to leave the house.
Then we went grocery shopping. I bought more than I usually do so I could have a small stock[pile. He will still take me to the store, but if he couldn't I caould still have the store deliver them for a small fee.
As for church, I am sure there are any number of people that would be glad to take me. I just hate to ask.
And for the first time, I asked someone to pick me up. My friend Darcie and I were planning on going to lunch tomorrow and I told her she would need to pick me up. You have no idea how difficult thet was for me. I don't mind doing things for people, but I hate to ask people to do things for me. Guess when you get old you just have to accept the fact and continue loving the life God has given you.
Just think, if I get rid of my car, I will have a whole guarge to store stuff in. See, there is a silver lining to every cloud.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bullying
I am upset when I read so much about the way people, especially young people, are bullying each other. It becomes very vicious, demeaning and cruel. When I was a kid, I guess there must have been some of this going on, but I don't remember it. The worst thing I can remember is that a girl in my class, probably 4th or 5th grade lived on a pig farm. When she came to school, she smelled so bad none of the kids would get close to her. I don't think anyone ever said anything about it to her, but just being avoided must have hurt her feelings.
Kelly Ripa remarked the other day that at her son's school, the teacher gave each student a nice, clean sheet of white paper. (these were small kids). She told them they could do anything they wanted to do to the paper. Some crushed it up, others tore their's, or walked on it, etc. After a minute or so she asked them to smooth out the paper an make it all neat again. Of course, they couldn't make it perfect again and the teacher said: "This paper is like people. It you builly them, say something mean to them, etc. they will never be the same. You have hurt that person and he will always be hurt and can't be put back the way he was before you were cruel to him.
I thought that was a great idea. Kids need to learn at an early age that it is wrong to bully people or say unkind things to them. I think this would be a great idea for teachers and also parents to use as one little step in educating children to be kind.
Until next time
Be kind to oneanother
Kelly Ripa remarked the other day that at her son's school, the teacher gave each student a nice, clean sheet of white paper. (these were small kids). She told them they could do anything they wanted to do to the paper. Some crushed it up, others tore their's, or walked on it, etc. After a minute or so she asked them to smooth out the paper an make it all neat again. Of course, they couldn't make it perfect again and the teacher said: "This paper is like people. It you builly them, say something mean to them, etc. they will never be the same. You have hurt that person and he will always be hurt and can't be put back the way he was before you were cruel to him.
I thought that was a great idea. Kids need to learn at an early age that it is wrong to bully people or say unkind things to them. I think this would be a great idea for teachers and also parents to use as one little step in educating children to be kind.
Until next time
Be kind to oneanother
Monday, October 3, 2011
Another Year Older
Someone once asked Lucille Ball how to stay young and she replied, "Live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age." I guess I will lie about my age. I was going to start a new blog, Life at 86, but then I thought, No, I will lie about my age and stay 85.....after all, that makes me sooooooooooooo young.
Enough of my silliness. This is sort of like New Year's Eve. What is coming in the new year? What will I do? Who will I meet? Will I live another year? I know this last question sounds odd, but when you get to be my age, it is very real. I was just reading in the paper this morning that at the beginning of the twentieth century, the expected life time was 47. Now, in 2011 it has gone up to 79. So....I have made it over that hurdle. I would love to live to about 110. There is just so much to see and do I want to be around a little longer.
The actor Taye Digas has just written a children's book called Chocolate Me. It is all about self-esteem, self-awareness and how to love your differences. He said to embrace your differences.
When you think about it, this applies to us whatever age, whatever color, whatever faith. We need to learn to EMBRACE ourselves the way we are. So today, I embrace that I am old. Being old doesn't mean one can't read, think, and enjoy life. I have heard, over the years, many people who dread getting old. (it's a lot better alternative than not getting old).
Some people complain that they have so many medications. I take a handful in the morning and four at night. I am thankful. My ancestors would have probably lived a lot longer if they had had medications to help them.
Most people, including me, complain about their aches and pains. I guess that is one of the things we just have to learn to live with. I don't like it, but there are so many things to enjoy. I try to be happy and look for those things each day. In fact, one thing I say almost every morning is "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
If it is raining, I rejoice that I can stay inside with a cup of coffee and a good book. If it is sunny, I can look out my window and see the beautiful rust and gold leaves covering the tree across the street. I can hug Annie, my sweet little dog, and get a big wet kiss on my nose. How much love can you handle? I can get absorbed in doing a painting, or writing.(I just started a novel. At the moment the title is Family Secrets. I'm sure I will change it fifty times before I am through.) I may not live long enough to finish it, but if I don't, just think of all the fun I have had writing it.
Embrace your life. Do what you can. Find joy in something you enjoy. Life is too short not to enjoy all you can. I am not the neat housekeeper I once was, but I am enjoying my life a lot more. Be happy, be well, and.......................................
until next time,
Be kind to one another
Enough of my silliness. This is sort of like New Year's Eve. What is coming in the new year? What will I do? Who will I meet? Will I live another year? I know this last question sounds odd, but when you get to be my age, it is very real. I was just reading in the paper this morning that at the beginning of the twentieth century, the expected life time was 47. Now, in 2011 it has gone up to 79. So....I have made it over that hurdle. I would love to live to about 110. There is just so much to see and do I want to be around a little longer.
The actor Taye Digas has just written a children's book called Chocolate Me. It is all about self-esteem, self-awareness and how to love your differences. He said to embrace your differences.
When you think about it, this applies to us whatever age, whatever color, whatever faith. We need to learn to EMBRACE ourselves the way we are. So today, I embrace that I am old. Being old doesn't mean one can't read, think, and enjoy life. I have heard, over the years, many people who dread getting old. (it's a lot better alternative than not getting old).
Some people complain that they have so many medications. I take a handful in the morning and four at night. I am thankful. My ancestors would have probably lived a lot longer if they had had medications to help them.
Most people, including me, complain about their aches and pains. I guess that is one of the things we just have to learn to live with. I don't like it, but there are so many things to enjoy. I try to be happy and look for those things each day. In fact, one thing I say almost every morning is "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
If it is raining, I rejoice that I can stay inside with a cup of coffee and a good book. If it is sunny, I can look out my window and see the beautiful rust and gold leaves covering the tree across the street. I can hug Annie, my sweet little dog, and get a big wet kiss on my nose. How much love can you handle? I can get absorbed in doing a painting, or writing.(I just started a novel. At the moment the title is Family Secrets. I'm sure I will change it fifty times before I am through.) I may not live long enough to finish it, but if I don't, just think of all the fun I have had writing it.
Embrace your life. Do what you can. Find joy in something you enjoy. Life is too short not to enjoy all you can. I am not the neat housekeeper I once was, but I am enjoying my life a lot more. Be happy, be well, and.......................................
until next time,
Be kind to one another
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