Happy Halloween everyone! It is time for the ghosts and goblins to run the streets hunting for the best haul of candy possible. This year, for the first time in 27, we have a full moon to add a little more creepiness to this day. Watch out for the Werewolves!

As a child I did more handing out of candy than hunting for it. I was a very sickly kid with extremely bad asthma so my parents to the cautious way of keeping me away from an asthma attack by keeping home instead out inth cold trick or treating. I wanted to be out trick or treating with my friends but I had just as much fun at home with my parents.

Dad would put in a scary movie for us all to watch and we sat together watching them. We had the light on for the kids to know candy was available and I would keep track of how many kids stopped at the house. Of course all of the candy didn't go to the T or T'ers because we were nibbling as well. It was fun time that I always looked forward to and I think my Mom and Dad enjoyed it as well.

Then there was the first year I did get to go trick or treating alone with my friends. None of us had very much money to spend on costumes so we put together our own. I was a gunshot victim that had been shot in the face. the makeup and fake blood cost me all of $3.50 and a couple stained shirt. Despite the cheap price the makeup and blood worked out good and it is still one of my favorite costumes.

In high school I was working at the Dairy Queen in town and I worked the counter. We were asked to do something for Halloween so we would be in the spirit for handing out free ice cream to the kids. I once again went with a simple cheap costume that consisted of some torn up clothes and black and white face paint. I spent 45 minutes putting on the paint in a completely terrifying ceramic mask look. Before the night was up at Dairy Queen I had to wash my face because I was scaring the kids (maybe it wasn't the paint?).

My favorite costume I ever had was another real cheap one. A friend was having a party and we had to dress up. I knew exactly who I wanted to go as so I hit Wal Mart for Black lipstick and fingernail polish and a black long wig. I borrowed an old long plaid skirt from my Grandma and some foundation from my Mom. I found a tight old black T-shirt in my closet and frayed the sleeves. I put the clothes on with a pair of jean shorts under the skirt and did my nails. Then I took the black lipstick and put it on my lips terribly. With the same lipstick I lightly darkened around my eyes and drew eyeball tattoos on the inside of my elbows and various others up and down my arm. When I took a look in the mirror after putting on the wig I was very happy. I had accomplished a great replication of Marilyn Manson. It was off to the party where the costume was very well liked.

Since then I have bought a few costumes a that costed quite a bit of cash and haven't been nearly as good as the ones that I created myself. That is why I look forward to helping my future children make their own costumes and have fun with it. I think that part of Halloween that has been lost in all the years is creativity and family fun. Years ago they didn't have stores selling costumes everyone made their own with the help of their parents and I believe that is the funnest part of Halloween. I still look forward to doing it every year. I want my kids to experience that and enjoy having their Mom and Dad help them.

Thank you for joining me for this commentary. Have a Safe and happy Halloween!

Later,
Coopedaddy