Trick or Treat

Halloween oddity: kids passing the house and not stopping. Not sure why. Might’ve been happening at our house. We had the lights on, and after we had the door open giving out candy I’d stand there with the door open looking out at the street to see if anyone else would be coming soon. At our house if you don’t cut straight through the grass (and leaves) from the door to the street, you have to come down the driveway, then turn right on the walk to the front door. There are trees so you can’t cut straight from the end of the driveway to the front door. I’d see people passing by. Some parents were dressed in costumes, but I’m not sure all the kids came to our door. We had Barney on a leash. He didn’t bark, but was interested in the visitors. Several kids petted him.

 

We did have a decent amount of trick or treaters. Our neighborhood had a party for the kids from 5-630, then the trick or treating began. I left work before 430 and made decent time home. After removing all the leaves Sunday afternoon, the yard looked like I hadn’t done anything. The driveway was wet but I blew off the leaves. Had my blower on high. As I was finishing the wind kicked up, blowing leaves back on the driveway. I hate to use the blower on the yard. I need the exercise, so to get leaves off the yard I rake or use the lawnmower. I need the mulch in the yard. My new mower is more powerful, and does a good job with the leaves. I only use the blower on the driveway and deck. The leaves and pinestraw I blow off the driveway gets blown into the natural area where the trees are in front of the house, or into the backyard natural areas and ditch. Sure on windy days some of those leaves might get blown away, but no more than had the leaves not been blown at all. I’d rather deal with an extension cord and electric blower than fool with a complicated gas powered blower.  

 

As we were almost ready to sit down to eat the doorbell rang. C and Barney went and opened the door, revealing four costumed 12-13 year-olds. They hollered “trick or treat!” I grabbed the bowl off the table and showed it to them, saying “Salad for everyone!” They enjoyed the joke.

 

Another Halloween observation: after receiving their candy, two or three kids asked for additional candy “for their sick brother” or “my friend in a wheelchair” holding out a second bag they were carrying.  Possibly a scam, but for the most part they pulled it off smoothly. In the end I gave out a lot of candy, but still had 50 or so pieces left over. Ran out of Baby Ruths but had Buttingfingers to spare.

 

Anna says my candy game has gone down. She remembered how I used to stock up on 25 cent “full size” Snickers bars to give out, which were a big hit. Nowadays those same bars cost a dollar, so I’ve switched to the 8 for a dollar fun size, and hand out several.

 

Ceil cooked spaghetti and meatballs. Tossed a salad. Very good. Not sure if it was the sauce, but my tongue was swelling up, making the food hard to enjoy. Tongue remained swollen throughout the night, and on into today. Slightly effecting my speech. Told the story in my morning meeting, which I’m sure my coworkers appreciated. Not good.

 

Watched the Halloween episode of Schooled, then Mixed-ish, Speechless, and Fresh off the Boat. Saw where the new season of Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” has debuted on Amazon Prime TV. Ceil had dozed off but I got her to watch the introduction before we went to bed. She had liked The Hunt for Red October, but like Clear and Present Danger and the other Jack Ryan movies, this Amazon series is probably too violent for her. I’ll have to watch it while she’s out of town.

M went off to be with friends. Anna came in late after work and a friend’s birthday celebration. W&MC were excited to greet trick or treaters at their new house for the first time. They made a ghost costume for Okie.

Was sleeping soundly this morning, wearing my CPAP mask (speaking of CPAPs, I entered a contest for a mini CPAP machine). Deep in a dream first out hanging out at a tailgate for a college football game, on a hilly journey across campus. Then into a gym where a few basketball players were about to play horse. Might’ve been Dallas Mavericks based on the uniform colors. Might’ve been foreign players, because one of them was teaching me an odd, cool greeting: “A’hah!” Didn’t wake up until Ceil was getting out of bed at 6:24. Traffic was light and I made it to work before 7:40.

 

Lunch meeting today catered by Jason’s Deli. I’m getting my usual bbq beef sandwich and potato salad. There’s been a real good leftover potato salad in the work fridge that I’ve been snacking on this week, so I’ll see if it matches today’s Jason’s Deli potato salad (it didn’t, but still good).