Yesterday was the big day. Halloween! Pat and I just moved to our retirement home, and it is right in the middle of hundreds of homes. We were sure there would be tons of kids! So Pat bought bag after bag of candy, had the new foam pumpkin with the light built in plugged in and out on the front bench. (Yeah, it wasn't a real pumpkin, but a whole lot less messy!)

We sat and waited. Finally, the doorbell rang, and very small faint voices could be heard, "Twick or Tweet!" (Yes, Twick or Tweet. Young kids remember?)

Jester jumped up in the air, barking his deep, German Shepherd watch dog bark, Pat took off running, so I went to the door with the candy in one hand, and holding Jester back with the other. On the other side of the door was a very young mom and dad, and their two little children. The little girl about 5 years old, took one look at Jester and let out a blood chilling scream! This girl has a future in horror movies!! Once she saw that this dog as tall as she, was more interested in the candy in the dish, she calmed down. She got a few extra Milky Way bars for being so brave! I asked Pat where she went, and she said she had to put on her Halloween vest! Leave it to a woman to have to change clothes for trick or treaters!

As the night went on, the kids dribbled over and got their candy. Jester decided this was quite the game, the doorbell would ring, he would bark, kids would yell Trick or Treat, I would yell Trick or Treat, and kids would be at the door.

Later Jester had to hit the back yard for a potty break, and when I called him to come in he just looked at me. (Stubborn Kraut!) So I yelled, "Trick or Treat" and he came running, in the back door, and right to the front door, waiting to see the kids. I had to open the door to show him no one was there!!!

Grand total for last night,, 18 kids. I remember when I was a kid, Halloween was a all night affair, out at dusk, and didn't get back till well after midnight. There was nothing to having over 200 kids a night stop by the house. I guess it is a sad sign of the times.