I've always liked Halloween. 

     Who wouldn't? Kids get free candy, whether it rains, shines, or in this part of the country, snows.  The candy is free while going door to door whether you wear the token mask, or a complete costume.

     While I've ranted about rampant consumerism in some shape or form at times, I admit I do like that Halloween costumes have been upgraded to a better quality than they were when I was a kid. 

     Store-bought costumes "back then" were really cheap affairs--made out of some kind of cheap plastic that would be coming apart at the seams by the time you were a block away from home. 

     It was a lot of fun this year to watch the elementary school kids parade about the school while wearing their costumes.  There was still a mix of "made from home" outfits. The store-bought get-ups were nicely done, made to last more than one outing, and -- finally -- tasteful and appropriate for children from age 5 through age 10.  Somebody's parents were on the ball, ignoring the sleaze factor for the kids.

     Even the weather cooperated, a brisk but sunny day with the promise of an excellent evening for trick-or-treating.

     When it got to be dusk is when it got to be scary, though.

     What was so scary? It wasn't the kids in their costumes, though admittedly there was still a fair share of kids clad in black robes with the "Scream" movie mask, and skeletons were popular this year.

     This year, it was the adults who were scary.

     Some were in costume, which is fun when you are taking the kids out for trick or treat. 

     Some grown ups looked like they'd just gotten out of jail, and I don't think it was an intentional look. 

     Some didn't appear to have any children in evidence as they wandered down the street.  I wondered if they were looking for a party, or looking for a place to rob.

     There were a few who came to the door looking like gang bangers.  Were they really, or was it just a costume? I don't know.

     All I know is, my other half was so flustered with the large number of children at the door clamoring for treats that when one rather suspicious group of adults asked if their toddler-aged child could use the bathroom, they looked menacing enough that he said, reluctantly, yes.

     I said what were you thinking? You never let anyone come inside to use the bathroom unless you know them. 

     He felt intimidated. So he let in one adult and the child.  After they left, he checked in the bathroom and in the adjacent bedrooms.  Purses and wallets were still in sight, nothing appeared to be missing.

     Perhaps it really was a case of having to use the bathroom. Maybe the people who asked really weren't casing the house so they could come back later and see what was around for easy pickings.  Maybe these people, who looked a bit suspicious, really were good people whose kid just needed to go potty at an inconvenient time.

     I prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt, and hope this doesn't come up again next year.

     There was the usual bunch of parents who brought children who were barely out of the womb, holding out a couple of bags, and with flat gravelly threatening voices, said, "THIS one's for MAMA," and then held out the bag for more.

    Some adults came out in costumes that would be better viewed at the local Deja Vu strip club.

     Since when is Halloween all about sex, anyway? Television personality Elvira can get away with it, but only because she's so campy no one would take the sexy get-up too seriously.

     Anyway, I saw enough scary looking adults dressed in normal clothing and unlicensed cars slowly cruising the streets that I'm rather relieved that Halloween is over for the year.

     It's no wonder that so many homes on our street stay dark on Halloween, if this is the mix of people who come out. The elderly who live here are too afraid to open their doors to hand out treats because they are never sure what will be on the other side.  Will it be an adorable tyke who will lisp a "thank you" as the candy is dropped in his bag? Or, will it be an adult with a child in tow who asks to use the bathroom? Or the telephone? Someone with bad intentions, or someone whose child truly has a need?

     Back in the day, trick or treating was typically a neighborhood affair.  Most houses on the street had a porch light on, and a bowl amply filled with goodies ranging from fresh apples to large-size candy bars. 

     You knew everyone who came to the door to holler "Trick or treat!"

     Nowadays, kids carpool to neighborhoods to gather their treats.  We have a large number of kids in the neighborhood here, but they sure don't number more than 50.  We had well over 200 kids at the door, and thankfully we were prepared with goods to hand out.

     My brother's neighborhood had only three houses with treats to share.  He felt that was rather stingy.

     I can't help but agree, but wonder if the trucking in of children from afar has worn people down.  What, but simple greed, could possibly inspire people to drive so far just for trick or treats?  I think that this, combined with too many unfamiliar people in the neighborhood, is one reason why so many elderly, and others, have quit participating in the annual candy grab.

     It's too bad, really.  Trick or treat could be a good way to re-introduce ourselves to our neighbors.  Measure how the children have grown from October to October. 

     Halloween is still one of my favorite holidays, and probably always will be.  But I think that I'll buy less candy next year, and when it's gone, the porch light will go off. 

     And then I'll be thankful that there isn't any other holiday to bring out the scaries.