(seen on my neighborhood walk)
circa 1951
We lived in Muskegon MI in housing similar to the old Greenbelt MD homes - ours though were only one level row homes. In between the rows were large expanses of lawn ...and lots of trees. One neighbor on the end of our row had spent the better part of the day raking /burning huge piles leaves.
Our last stop - a home occupied by an older man, a recluse of sorts - certainly not very friendly whenever we saw him out. We knocked - no answer. Again - the same. So, we soaped his screens...and just as he came to the door to get after us, we ran, lickety-split...'cause we knew we were naughty- not because we were afraid.
In my haste to get away, I stepped into the pile of smoldering leaves...and upon feeling the heat, threw my bag of loot into the air - with most of it landing you know where... Limping I made it home, in considerable distress. No all-night drugstores in those days so I had to make do with a homemade remedy - a baking soda poultice I believe.
I don't recall that I ever shared the fact that I'd been naughty with my parents and dared my sister to say a word (she was younger and I could do that, of course)... and I don't know that I ever went trick or treating again in my life. For some reason, the aura just ended that Halloween...
We rarely have trick or treaters in our neighborhood ... yours? And how 'bout those Cubs! Go Cubs Go!
Cheers~
PS. Strictly a 180 degree turn: If you're interested in NaBloPoMo, more info here... You don't have to join the blogroll but you can download the logo and also join the Facebook group to get the daily prompts.