The Times They Are A Changin'

It amazes me how quickly things can get out of hand.  It use to be that decorating for Halloween meant you left the porch light on, so kids knew you had candy.  Today, Halloween decorations rival Christmas.

Mind you, I am not complaining.  It is easily one of of my favourite times of the year,  I can feel the excitement in the air.  Even in my forties, I still have to make a trip down the Halloween aisle when I am at the store.

Well it use to be an isle, now it is more of a section, or an entire store.  Over the past few years, I have looked forward to the "Halloween Shop" opening up at the local mall.  This year, we have at least five such stores, and they are not just a small store at the mall, but have taken over old Future Shops and Targets.

I can remember when my Father's idea of decorating the house for Halloween meant changing the white flood light over the front porch for red or green.  And when we got a portable tape player, yes tapes not CDs, he would put it in a front window playing scary sounds or Halloween music. 

In our neighbourhood there are a fair few houses that are decorated (and lit up) for Halloween. Happily, I can say they out number the housed already decorated for Christmas.  We even have a blow up cemetery, complete with blow up Spectre of Death, black cats, and Frankenstein's Monster.

I am looking forward to tomorrow as much as the kids.  I will enjoy running errands with my wife and seeing which store allowed their employees to dress up, and how many employees do.  However, I am likely looking forward to Sunday morning just as much....Halloween chocolates fifty per cent off or better!