Well, today is Halloween, and it's the first year in a few that I've gotten dressed up. I worked today, so I dressed up as the paper bag princess (you know from the Robert Munsch story) complete with safeway paper bag dress, black soot smudges and a a crown that was slightly burnt from that mean old dragon. It was a lot of fun, and the kids really liked it. The school was swarming with dressed up kids and teachers, candy, all sorts of halloween goodies, and tons of activities and games.
Mike and I also carved a pumpkin, which is currently on our balcony with two lanterns and orange candles. It's the first year we've had a balcony people could actually see, so I had to decorate. I can hear the trick or treaters running up and down the street and I'm sure they're happy that it's not snowing this year, as it was last year. Nope, unlike the island where it's always raining, we have a sunny day and now a starry night for halloween.
Mike and I are going to the movie theatre tonight as there are no parties that we know of going on. That's okay, though. Next year, when we own our own house, I'm definitely throwing a costume party.
A little bit of Halloween history: Originally, when the Celtic festival Samhain (where Hallowe'en originated from) was Christianized--(All Saint's day on November 1st) people would go door to door the night before this day, offering to pray for the souls of the dead, and in return the people would offer them cakes made with fruit and bread, which were called soul cakes. If the people in the house refused, they would play a prank, or "trick" on them. Hence the trick or treat. This was what they did in the middle ages, before wrapped candy bars at Wal-mart.
I find it so interesting how festivals and feast days were Christianized but sort of kept in the same spirit, and how evolved they are today. So many Christians are opposed to Hallowe'en and the way people celebrate it today--if only we could remember how it started, with people praying door to door.
Personally, I love any reason to display lights and put on a costume!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Me too, m'dear! Although I did not, sadly, dress up this year. Not enough money and not enough creativity to make my own costume ... or not enough desire to do so, I suppose.
No, I stayed in this Hallowe'en -- unless you count the trek into town to try and use the printers at the library.
They weren't working. I almost tore down the library in my complete and utter frustration.
A Hallowe'en story? Perhaps ... :)
Post a Comment