https://padlet.com/anniekling/purf5q69822f it is what it is..... en-us 2017-10-15 22:54:43 UTC 2017-10-17 00:20:40 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Watchclock.png anniekling https://padlet.com/anniekling/purf5q69822f/wish/197174056 Share a halloween story from your childhood. Here is mine:
HALLOWEEN
AHA! Today is the most awesomeness day of the year! – well besides my entrance into this world. Today memories and emotions are forefront in my doings.

The first Halloween that I remember was way back in 1964, ish. Though the memory is a bit fuzzy for the whole event, the pieces that I do remember are very clear and complete. I can still smell the leaves as they lay crisp on the ground. I get all warm inside as I bring forward the sights and smells of my grandmother making small rows of leaves and setting them to burn. Oh, glorious scent of smoldering leaves in Autumn! The piles of leaves for jumping into!

Okay back to where I was. I don’t remember my costume, but I am sure it may have been one of those awful plastic thingy’s, you know, the ones that cut into your face, smothered you and denied you the ability to see anything but what was directly in front of you- making the terrors of the night more intense. But, aha, as irritating as that was, the thrill of the night overshadowed the discomfort. Armed with my pillowcase, I was off on an adventure that scared the crap out of me, for my memory tells me that for the first time, I ventured alone, in the dark, in the night, where they can’t hear you scream………. screeching halt……… reverse……. that was a movie, ok …. breathe.

Now, where was I? Oh, yeah, so I believe that this was the first time that I went around our neighborhood alone – or seemingly alone. We lived in Rhode Island at the time, and our neighborhood was called a Plat. Don’t really know why, except that it was an isolated place. There were two entrances and in between them was a loop. (*my mother is not allowed to straighten me out on any of this- as moms often do, nor is she allowed to comment. She may chuckle, and yes, I know the phone call is coming.)

I remember the street lights. They weren’t bright at all. They were globes of fuzzy amber lights suspended atop poles- well in the daytime they were poles. They looked like a one-eyed giant peering down on me. I had a fear of these lights because I knew that if I did not get inside when the great eyelid opened, I was doomed. Parental reinforcement sucks. So, in my little mind confusion set in. Why did they send me out here, in the night, in the dark . . . Alone?

I could hear the other kids laughing and banging on doors. United voices ring out those familiar words, “Trick or Treat?” I really had a hard time going to stranger’s doors, in the dark, in the night. I remember only one house that I approached and fulfilled the required password that was rewarded with a piece of candy, the little house that sat back from the road at the bottom of the hill. After I knocked, I stood trembling with fear of what would answer the knock. Creaking sound echoed as the door opened and a figure blocked most of the light shining out, eyes bulging into those horrid mask eye slits, I held my pillowcase out and mustered the courage to say, “Trick or Treat”. I winced and waited, eyes shut. You see at that moment in my life I didn’t realize that the trick part was what I would do to them, no, I thought they chose what to do to me. Silly? No.

Silence was broken when a small voice replied, “I have no candy.” I shrank, here it comes the T R I C K. I lowered my bag and waited. “Put out your hand” she said. I was taught to obey my elders so I obliged her. Here it comes, I thought, pain, something disgusting but to my astonishment, the lady dropped a penny into my hand. I opened my eyes, wide and with a grin as big as the ocean, I thanked her from the bottom of my heart.

A penny! She gave me a penny! Wow! What a gift! I will never forget that penny, nor the memory of the lady who gave me it. You see, when I was small we use to look for pennies and put them in a jar. There were times that those pennies were the only money we had – as it was to many, many people. Yes, my memory of that night may be blurred, but the gift of that lady was one of the most special gifts that I have ever received. Happy Halloween everyone!

]]> 2017-10-15 23:02:48 UTC https://padlet.com/anniekling/purf5q69822f/wish/197174056 crystalmatthews https://padlet.com/anniekling/purf5q69822f/wish/197603998 I do not remember a Halloween story from my childhood as far as a lot of details because my memory has left me since I devote most of my mind to remembering my childrens' activities:). I do remember one time when it was close to Halloween, a friend of mine invited me over. We were having a sleepover and she wanted to do the Bloody Mary chant in front of her bathroom mirror. I was not into it at all. However my friend tricked me by waiting for me to go to the bathroom before bursting inside too! She then turned off the lights and said in a super speedy voice, "Bloody Mary" three times. I was screaming because she would not move after I tried to shove her away from the door or light which she covered. Through my screams, I closed my eye because I was afraid of what I would see in the mirror looking back at me. I heard her say, "Oh my gosh, I see her! She screamed and ran out of the bathroom. When I followed her she seemed very shaken and I remembered being scared all night and day. I couldn't wait to get out the house and back home. I later found out that she was just acting.]]> 2017-10-17 00:03:11 UTC https://padlet.com/anniekling/purf5q69822f/wish/197603998