I went to a block party the other night at a neighbor's house.  It was an indoor thing, everybody brought a dish, that sort of deal.  I'd rather do about anything than go to a block party, but this one was good for me.  I was about the youngest guy there, serving notice that I'm for sure living in the old fart part of town.  That makes sense, I decided, since most of the homes around here are pretty nice.  It's not at all surprising then that there's hardly any kids around here.

Kids make a place look more like a neighborhood, and I miss the little rug rats.  We look forward to Halloween around here, and my wife makes a big deal out of it.  Greta and Sophie, the two dogs, love it because they get to run to the door every few minutes.  On some Halloweens, we'll have 300 kids show up wanting candy, and we've usually got lots of it to give away.  This morning, we've got lots left over because only half as many kids showed up this year.  My wife had to run an errand about eight o'clock, came home and said we were the only house on the street with front porch lights on - the universal sign that you're home and that treats are available.

I can't speak for all neighborhoods and communities, but mine did itself a disservice last night.  They missed out on an opportunity to befriend some kids who look forward to Halloween.  Some of the church pastors here in town preach against Halloween, saying it is a day of the devil, that kids should not be allowed to participate.  What a bunch of  twits!  How stupid do you have to get to believe such hogwash?  And some local churches sponsor events to keep kids from going trick or treating . . . more morons in action, in my opinion. 

But what about the people who refuse to buy some candy for kids?  What about the darkened porches of people who won't participate in something as harmless as Halloween?  Is it because they're just so damn old they've withdrawn from life already?  I don't know the answer, but I care.  Here's my message to people who refuse to turn lights on for kids on Halloween:  Get a life and join the party, you tightassed old farts.  If you can't afford a little candy for some kids out trying to have some fun, you need to move to the country where folks won't bother you.  Quit screwing up my street.  The kids are more important than you, especially if you're anti-Halloween because of some misdirected religious views.  If you're just too old to stay up long enough to pass out candy to wide-eyed kids, or if you're just too tight to buy it, then the spookiest thing on the street during Halloween is you.

D. Paz, 11/02/07