Boo!…

It’s Halloween… my all-time favorite holiday living in this neighborhood! While we don’t get all that many trick-or-treaters at our place, the streets behind us are bustling. People from Oakland and other parts of the Bay come here to trick-or-treat because everyone really gets into the spirit here. Yards are decorated with spooky lights and things like giant cobwebs and coffins that pop up unexpectedly. The streets fill with people. Street vendors sell lighted toys from grocery carts. Rumor has it that the drawbridges to get on the island occasionally lift up to keep too many people from coming in (not kidding). It doesn’t matter if the holiday falls on a weeknight, like it does this year, or if it’s raining, like it has in the past. This is always the place I like to be on Halloween.

Friends with homes in the busy part of my neighborhood report they give away over 500 pieces of candy each year which is A LOT of candy. I give out way less than that because my place is on the outer perimeter of the action. But I do love when kids stop by. I generally get the little ones who want one last stop before they head home.

I bought the candy we’re giving out –PB Snickers, Almond Joys, Swedish Fish, Reese’s pumpkins, and Sour Patch Kids — late this year so I wouldn’t nibble too much before the holiday. It didn’t work. Mark my words, next year I’ll buy it all the day before.

SJ turns 14 on Sunday (I KNOW, OMG). She no longer trick-or-treats but does still get into costume. She runs around with her friends, usually stopping by here for a while to hand out candy to the little kids. Last year she dressed as Frida. This year she’s going as Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. Last year I was Madmax from Stranger Things. This year… not sure yet (but I do have a giant kangaroo costume in my closet).

We used to carve pumpkins but it’s still pretty warm here around Halloween, so they rot very quickly. Now we just decorate them. Last year we used markers. This year we’ve graduated to paints.

Some people like to party on Halloween. I like being right here in Alameda, doing the wholesome thing.

I hope you all are having a great all Hallow’s eve wherever you are!