Well, I thought I was going to dress up for Halloween, but when the time came, I didn’t. There was something so sad about being alone with the occasion, that I ran out of spirit. I went across the street to Ken and Shelley, neighbors who made a big to-do in the past, and they had welcoming lights on and were getting kids, although not as many as down the road where the streets are better lit. They weren’t doing costumes either, except for Maggie, their lab, who had a ladybug costume on. A couple of years ago, Gus, their springer spaniel was Superman and he loved it. And Ken had decorated the berm in the cul de sac next to us with an overturned boat and a pirate’s treasure.

Anyway, in order to parade my costume, I would have had to walk down the road where there are many more people. In the past I have biked, but the crowds mill around in the roadway and don't make way (idiots). Mothers schmoozing with pals also lose track of their toddlers, not realizing, I guess, that a toddler can still be crushed by a car going ten miles an hour.

Also some friends I used to stop to see have passed or moved away and that is the saddest of all. I asked Ed if he wanted to take me to dinner in my costume and he said no. Can you beat that? What a curmudge.

But I had a very nice time visiting with Shelley, an outgoing, charming person, who is a nurse at one of the local hospitals. Her husband is a working artist and teaches. He hasn't warmed to me, for some reason. He is pleasant enough, but looks bored when I come around and does not join in the conversation and then leaves the room. Whaz up wid dat? I may never know.


xx, Teal