Spooking

Our neighborhood has a little Halloween tradition. Someone rings your doorbell and drops a bag or basket of treats on your doorstep and runs away. There is a note in the bag wishing you a Happy Halloween and directing you to go and spook two other households. This is a big deal. As soon as we get spooked, I am always sent off to Wal-Mart for goodies. Some years, the spook comes early. Some years, I fear I am going to have to borrow a neighbor's sign and go spook myself to get the game started. But always the fateful doorbell rings. And then the deliberation begins. Who shall we spook? We consider the age and number of the children. Then we perform reconnaissance missions to determine whether there is street lighting, motion sensitive security lighting, shrubbery or trees to hide behind, dogs in the yard, or high traffic. Once we have carefully considered the obstacles to a successful spook, we must pick the correct night and time. You see, the residents must be home to answer the door. We can't leave the treats to be taken by wild animals. We must have cover of darkness, but not wait so late that we disturb bedtimes or upset parents with the doorbell. When the time comes, we set off. Sometimes we are on foot and sometimes we drive without the lights and park a distance away from our target. The more challenging the more fun. We have even dared to face off against sprinklers. So far we have never been caught. We have hid in trees, beside houses, behind cars and behind play sets. We are undefeated and delighted.

Tonight, despite a few mishaps, we have again successfully dumped treats on our friends under cover of darkness. Sure, the kids are not letting me choose the tree I hide behind for myself in the future, and yes, we will have to make sure SOMEONE puts the notes in the bags instead of on the counter in the kitchen. And maybe next year we can chose a house that does not water at 8:30 p.m.. But we will be back.