The olden days...

That's what we use to say when we were kids, talking about ancient times..."back in the olden days".

As the trees begin to go to sleep for the winter and the air is crisp and cool,

I am in a melancholy mood.

I know that my nieces and nephews are thinking of Halloween and I am thinking of my own childhood days getting prepared for the BIG NIGHT.

We didn't buy costumes, EVER!

We made, begged, borrowed or just about stole whatever we needed.

(one of those 'last minute mime' costumes)

(Stephanie Jones and I in our' not so politically correct' costumes)

(brother Jeff, pirate style...notice the bulky coat under dad's t-shirt)

Hobo's, gypsies, princess' witches and ghosts were other, popular choices.

There were some kids who might buy a costume of a simple plastic cape thing that had to fit over warm clothing.

Along with it came a cheap mask with eye holes and barely a hole to breath out of.

My neighbour always had this type of costume, and I envied her until I tried on the mask and nearly died from the sweat and stench of my own breath, suffocating me.

I lived in the city and always went out with siblings or friends.

Our parents could trust the world we lived in.

Filling up a pillow case, at least half way, was our biggest worry.

The only thing we weren't allowed to keep were those dangerous apples.

It was in the first days of razor blade scares.

Now kids are driven to the mall for trick or treating.

Costumes are elaborate, ghoulish, sexy and store bought.

I'm happy to have lived in these simpler times...'the olden days'.