By Louise Crawford / Chronicle contributor — The annual "spooky" time, known as Halloween, is about to assert itself. No doubt moms, and maybe dads, are being urged to help their children get a really spooky, scary, funny, pretty, different (well, you know) costume for the school parade and go "trick or treating" for Halloween or, well, whatever the mind of mom, maybe dad, or your "little darling" may think up.
"When we were young" costumes were in vogue but rather sparse. I just had fun pulling a notched spool that had some string wound around it to make a big noise across a window, or ringing doorbells and shouting "boo," or, well, wandering around town if our parents agreed to it.
In the rougher sections of town older kids did do unkind or mean things. Making a nuisance of ourselves seemed like fun. But in our area we did not go in for mean things much.
Yes, we begged for candy (but didn't get the "tons of it" some get now). Older kids would "mog around" till it got too cold to be fun anymore or got bored with their own company.
Well, time slips along, and today the kids find other ways of celebrating, often pretty dangerous or mean.
In Pleasant Hill, our town council has a long history of "throwing a party." Helping the young "show off," wander about, and get as much candy as possible has evolved into stopping by town hall to eat chili and corn bread and, of course, add more candy to the already loaded "trick or treat" bags.
It's always fun to watch little princesses or ghosts or goblins or whatever slip in and out of town hall. And see watchful moms or dads, maybe a grandparent, follow, on guard.
Here's your "invite." Come to town hall Oct. 31. Let your "dressed up" youngsters stop by on the way to another trick or treat sortie. Oh yes, get some chili and rest awhile.
Remember to come from 6-8 p.m. Halloween night, Oct. 31. Come early to be sure to get some chili!
You might remember a night or two from your early years and start a memory train for your own youngsters.
Something to think about
Does this strike you as worth thinking about?
A bit of Buddhist philosophy: "Care not for ostentation, neither incur unnecessary expenses. Let frugality be thy rule."
Do you believe that the more one gets, the more one wants?
"Blessed be he who is unfulfilled yet is content." From Legacy and Challenge by Dr. Ida B. Scudder who lived in Pleasant Hill some years ago. She found these in a Buddhist cemetery on a trip to Japan.
They do come from Buddhist philosophy, yet those who believe in the Christian way of thinking and acting can and do feel they have meaning in our Christian beliefs and actions.
Be a good, caring neighbor
The council is presently working on an ordinance to regulate the use of public roads and walks by various sized pets. They feel large pets, such as horses, should not be permitted on public pedestrian facilities. Also, all owners and custodians of pets accompanying their owners on public property have the responsibility to clean up any deposits their pets make.
Some of you may have input you would like included in the drafting of such an ordinance. If so, please transmit your thoughts on this subject to the mayor. You may write it, call on the phone at 277-5053 or email it. Please — no Twitter.
