Once upon a time...

Once upon a time... long ago in the town of Waukegan, IL lived a little girl who loved to Trick-or-Treat. Every year she dressed up as a Bum & went door to door to as many houses as time would permit. She & her cousin did this well into their teen years. She just couldn't get enough!

The mayor always gave out Taffy Apples. That, of course, was her favorite stop. There were parties at school. One year she even won the contest because her teacher didn't recognize her. She treasured her candy, not necessarily to eat it, but loved to count it, sort it, look at it, & think about the joy she had collecting it.

She loved to build spook houses complete with eyeballs, spaghetti, & gooey pumpkin guts. Her house had an unfinished basement, & the sky was the limit. Such creativity & fun! She lived for these moments...

As time went by, she became a mother, determined to enjoy this fun with her own children. Together they Trick-or-Treated for miles. Sometimes she made their costumes which was a real feat since sewing really wasn't her thing. A few fifties skirts along the way, a chocolate kiss, & a little black doggie costume. Such fun!

Each year pumpkins were carved. Pumpkin seeds were baked, & Jack-O-Lanterns displayed. Her Daddy taught her well, & doing it for her own children was a treat (even though her pumpkin seeds were never as good as her Dad's).

So... the decorations went up, & fun times were to be had. Now... things have settled. She still makes her pot of chili. She buys costumes for a few children she adores. Trick-or Treaters come & go, & she passes out her candy, happy to see each child. Each Halloween she remembers her childhood & smiles a little smile & feels just a little of that same excitement she felt way back when...