To love Halloween means being an eternal child; I disliked the hiatus between having a child who trick-or-treated and having grandchildren who did the same, because it meant I had no excuse for traipsing through the leafy neighborhood streets in the moonlight, ringing doorbells expectantly and then later separating and piling up the candy and goodies while a good scarey movie played on the television.
To love Halloween also means to love children. In those hiatus years described above, my consolation was the enjoyment of each and every costumed kid who visited my front door. I have a neighbor, (a teacher no less!) who for years would darken her house, lock the front door and leave for the evening because it bothered her when teenagers trick-or-treated. In my opinion, since children grow up so quickly these days, they should be allowed to have childish fun as long as possible. What is the harm in handing a candy bar to a fifteen-year-old and why should he not be having fun? What else is there for teens to do these days? Another plus is getting further acquainted and even befriending the local kids, which is a plus in our world of seclusion and suspicion.
It is with regret that I foresee the trick-or-treat era fading as less people hand out candy, less parents allow their children out, and other "safer" rituals are adopted. I mourn the fact that future generations may not have the great fun that mine experienced. I think James Whitcomb Riley understood what spooky fun was all about:
"An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,
An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!
An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,
An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--
You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,
An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,
An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,
Er the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!"
A day at home, alone, with lots of housework planned, calls for the aroma of something baking in the oven. English muffins are always a pleasant change from boring toast at breakfast, so I made two dozen, which means we'll have some tomorrow, I'll take a couple to my mother, share a few more with the kids and then freeze the rest for convenient use later. Actually they look so good coming out of the oven, I think I'll have one now for lunch. Pass the jam, please!
A dear friend and co-worker recently celebrated marriage to her long-time(eighteen years!) partner. Of course, a shower was held beforehand (at Hendel's Market Cafe and Piano Bar, a grocery store built in 1873 that has been renovated into a charming yet elegant restaurant), and of course, I offered to bring the cake. After browsing several websites and images, and considering the simple but determined taste of the bride-to-be, I chose a fondant covered layer cake with a minimum of decoration surrounded by buttercream frosted cupcakes. Never having used fondant, I wanted to try it and now I had an excuse for the experience. It was interesting and fun, but I do believe I prefer using frosting.
It's apple season now and although the extremely hot summer produced fruit that was somewhat smaller than usual, overflowing bushels and bags are in abundance at the local farmer's markets and pick-your-own farms. Pop has requested an apple pie so today I am in the kitchen and happily so. An afternoon of baking can satisfy the senses on many levels: the hands-on fun of rolling out dough, the taste of the crispy apple peel, the heavenly smell of cinnamon and nutmeg from the oven. 
However there are ancillary aspects of pie baking that satisfy also. It is a gift to spend time at a craft that I love but today I am also surrounded by other treasures. Things like a beloved grand-daughter, mini pans that are just her size, a favorite apron, and a rolling pin that has been in the kitchen for thirty or more years.
To love Halloween means being an eternal child; I disliked the hiatus between having a child who trick-or-treated and having grandchildren who did the same, because it meant I had no excuse for traipsing through the leafy neighborhood streets in the moonlight, ringing doorbells expectantly and then later separating and piling up the candy and goodies while a good scarey movie played on the television.
