Fall in Indiana

I love Indiana in the fall. I love going on a motorcycle ride through the woods, or walk along the trails at Turkey Run State Park. I love to watch as the leaves change colors and seeing kids pick out Halloween costumes.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love going shopping and buying decorations. Of course, now I wait until the day after Halloween and buy them on clearance, but who is really keeping track of that. There are always different ways that you can go on decorating. Either the scary Halloween that frightens most children and some adults or the "cartooned" version that is more likely to entice a giggle instead of a scream.

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays dating back to an ancient Celtic Festival known as Samhain. It is a celebration for the end of the harvest season and is considered to be the "Celtic New Year."

The Gaels believed the boundary between the dead and living dissolved, and the festivals would have large bonfires and people would wear costumes and masks to blend in with the evil spirits to avoid sickness and damaged crops.

I wonder how those individuals would react to this era where kids put on costumes and run around in the evenings, some with parental supervision. They receive large quantities of candy from their neighbors and that night children hurry home and just when they are about to spend the rest of their evening on a sugar high, they hear those infamous words out of the mouth their mother, "Not until after dinner!" At that point, children will sneak a piece or two and hope that they are discreet enough not to get caught.

Over the course of the next few weeks, I encourage everyone to take a moment and look around outside. Yes, gas prices are so high it is going to cost an arm to get to the grocery store and once you get to the grocery store it will cost you a leg for even the basic necessities. Yes, the economy is in shambles. Yes, we are destroying the world with green house gases and even though everyone says that they are making strides, it isn't enough. However, try to look to the bright side. I know it is really hard right now, but it can be done. Look at what you have around you, family and friends and a holiday that encourages the consumption of candy! Just don't tell your dentist.