Saturday, October 29, 2005

Rita's Last Trick Or Treat


My mother-in-law Rita's interests always tended towards the classical, whether it was art or music. She also indulged Broadway plays, old black and white movies, and other refinements of culture. Still, her family stood above all in her world so she always joined us at picnics, parties, holidays--even the occasional Halloween adventure.

Some years back, Rita joined our family and my in-laws in a road trip to Crossroads Village/Huckleberry Railroad near Flint, Michigan. This historical amusement venue changes a bit for Halloween, the air filled with the sounds of ghosts, while supernatural characters haunt the train as it rides a short circuit out of the park.

It's for kids. There was nothing too scary. Well, I did teasingly ask my nephew Bill if I could pick him up so he could peek inside a window high on this locked workshed. I asked him to see if there were any ghosts lurking inside. He steadfastly refused.

"Why not?" I asked.

"There might be," he replied.

As we visited each reproduction of a centuries old shop, house or building, a costumed host or hostess was there to answer questions. And to pass out treats. Wow! Of course, the four boys in our troupe, came to look forward to the treat instead of any history lesson. And I was a bit surprised to see Rita's hand extended as well.

At the end of the afternoon, we collected in a hall to be served each a cup of cider and a donut. The boys counted their loot. Rita had her own little stash as well. Whenever we remembered that outing in the years that followed, if my mother-in-law was present, she would mention how she had her hand out there with the others, collecting her own treats.

Rita passed away two years ago at the age of 80. She was probably close to 70 when she did her last trick or treat there in Flint. Sometimes I think, wouldn't it be wonderful if Halloween was both for the young and old? Instead of the question, "Aren't you a little old for this?" you might hear, "Aren't you a little young for this?" Maybe it would make it more of a treat to be older on Halloween.

For guys like my blogger buddy Hoss, it would give new meaning to his favorite pasttime--"making my pile."

10 Comments:

Blogger OldHorsetailSnake said...

When I make the rounds of my Old Folks' Home I always carry my Halloween Rule Book, where it says "Halloween is for the young" with a notation by the author: "...at heart." Then I always ask for popcorn balls. Hard to get a good popcorn ball anymore.

12:12 PM  
Blogger Peter said...

Nephew Bill sounds like he has his head on right Dave.

9:58 PM  
Blogger Big Dave T said...

WDM Info Services--Not sure what kind of outfit you run, but I should explain something anyway.

When I set up my blog originally, I chose "bigdaveblogger" as my URL, but I called my blog Big Dave's Blog. Subsequently, I found out that there is ANOTHER Big Dave's Blog out there. I also found it through Google. It very wellcould be the porn blog you speak of, from what I've seen. Mine certainly is not a porn blog.

Kind of confusing, but by the time I found out about the other Big Dave's Blog, I didn't want to start over with mine.

No, I haven't listed my blog with any directory.

4:02 AM  
Blogger Fred said...

I come for wholesome entertainment, and I get to find out how to access porn blogs. Fascinating. :)

Great post. Have a Happy Halloween.

8:34 AM  
Blogger the many Bs said...

That's a nice story and not pornographic at all. Your's is a nice wholesome G rated blog and I enjoy it a lot. You write a very nice story, Big Dave Blogger. Keep it up and you'll have lots of readers!

9:50 AM  
Blogger poopie said...

Hmm..well I suppose the name "Big Dave" could be construed as somewhat pornographic ;) I can just picture Hoss making the trick or treat rounds with his bag stuck out there. Priceless!

11:20 AM  
Blogger OldHorsetailSnake said...

"It hasn't flailed me yet." Ho ho har de har har. Great line, Dave.

4:59 PM  
Blogger bornfool said...

Hey, where's the pron? :)

Nice story and nice memories of Rita.

5:40 AM  
Blogger Babette said...

Rita's cultural sensibilities suggest that she received a fine, liberal arts education...

3:30 PM  
Blogger Deb said...

Sorry to hear about Rita; she must have been a jewel.

1:06 PM  

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