Halloween Costumes

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown



Guess who? That was 25 years ago. No, it wasn't my Halloween costume. I was playing at my grandma Helen's duplex off of S Claremont Ave. I was dressed as Raggedy Ann. I'll save the famous Christmas story taken place at her house for another post. But a lot of memories were made there. She lived right next to and I mean right on top of some train tracks. I liked spending the night and feeling the vibrations from the train rattle through the house and shake the bed. I loved getting up in the morning and greeting her in the quaint kitchen with the sunlight spilling through the windows spotlighting her cigarette smoke lingering in the air. She would be sitting at the table playing solitaire with her worn deck of cards. I loved the sound the cards made with she'd shuffle them and 'flick' them down for a play. The sound of Big Band Music would be playing on her portable radio in the background. And then there was her smell of strong coffee.... Ahhh, those were the days!

So, I didn't really know what to write about today. I was looking through old e-mails and I cam across this one Woo had sent to me 8 years ago. I looked at it and thought - I could write about past Halloween Costumes! I'm not sure I can remember many - but I'll try and I'm not sure that I could remember the order either.

The earliest ones I can remember is a purple velour and pink clown outfit my mom has sewn for me. I remember being very excited to wear it. Another one was a vinyl Snoopy costume. I was mad because my parents wanted me to wear a coat and I didn't want to because nobody would know who I was!!! I wanted everyone to know I was SNOOPY! Those are the only 2 that stick out in my memory. I also remember my mom and I thought of the idea of me going as a gypsy - only it stayed an idea. My grandma Helen made me a monkey costume. Although I wanted to be a 'cute' monkey, she got me a gorilla mask instead, I don't think she ever knew otherwise though. HA! But I remember riding in the car with that mask on and 'scaring' people in other cars! Others included being a 'teenager' and a 'baby'. Later on I was another clown using my gymnastics recital costume. But then there was my most favorite... in 6th grade my step-mom made me a Donald Duck costume!!! IT WAS AWESOME!!! That was also the first year I was able to trick or treat by myself - with friends of course. A.D.D. - I remember trick or treating at a house on E 37th Terr. St. (Martin's, Bush's & Mile's street) AND I think it was the year I was Snoopy. There was a small group of us we rang the doorbell and waited. I think there was a party in side as someone answered and said while looking over their shoulder, "Oh it's for you." Next thing I know a WEREWOLF jumps at us with a loud growl! I RAN for my LIFE! I remember trying to be coaxed back up to the door for some candy - but I wasn't getting any where near! I wasn't a dummy!!!

A.D.D. struck again, seems I was going to write something else but Brian called and interrupted my thought! Oh well - till next time.

Peace