Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble!

It's Halloween! It's Halloween! The moon is full and bright.
And we shall see what can't be seen on any other night.
Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls, grinning goblins fighting duels
Werewolves rising from their tombs, witches on their magic brooms
In masks and gown we haunt the street
And knock on doors for trick or treat
Tonight we are the kind and queen, For oh tonight it's Halloween!
- Jack Prelutsky


Last Halloween, I upgraded from apartment-living to house-living - complete with lots of kiddos in my neighborhood. I was ecstatic that I would be able to pass out candy for Halloween. That night, I was outside sitting on my front driveway with buckets of candy.


A few minutes went by... then a few more... then an hour... I looked at my watch... 7:15... no kiddos.


To my horror, all the kids left our neighborhood to trick-or-treat elsewhere. So, I left the candy at my house (which my husband devoured in the following weeks) and went to my sister-in-laws.


I figure they gave up our bite-sized candy neighborhood for a whole candy bar neighborhood. I don't blame them. I did it too. Hopefully, this year will be more eventful.


Before you grab your costume and a few empty buckets, the American Red Cross has some spooky great tips to keep your kids safe:

• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cards, trucks and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners, not in the middle of the block and stay together in a group before crossing.
• Never hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms, too!)
• Use face paint rather than masks or big floppy hats that will cover your eyes.
• Don’t wear long, baggy, or loose costumes or extra-large shoes—you could trip and fall!
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.) If a costume catches fire, remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.
• Only visit well-lit homes that have a front-porch light on.
• Accept treats at the door; never go into a stranger’s house or apartment.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating them.
• Don’t eat candy if the package has already been opened.

'Tis now the very witching time of night, when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out contagion to this world. - William Shakespeare

Now for a couple of clips from my all-time favorite Halloween movie...

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