Tag Archives: Halloween

This post is not writing related. For the small number of loyal reader who stop by, I hope you will indulge me. Halloween in my historic neighborhood in Knoxville, TN, has evolved into an event where literally hundreds of children (and would-be children) show up for trick or treat on Halloween in night. For example, in 2013, between 6:15 and 8:15 PM, 283 tricksters showed up. This year, 2014, between approximately 5:45 PM and 8:45 PM, 300 tricksters (young and not-so-young). Roughly the same, though this year there was some rain, gusty wind at times, and a stronger dip in temperatures than last year, all of which may have discouraged some.

As a side note, a fellow in an adjoining historic neighborhood complained that as the weather turned colder and rain and wind picked up, he had parents come to collect for their kids who stayed in the cars. I saw one or two examples of that, but mostly I saw kids and adults with umbrellas making the best of it.

Regardless, as you can see, that is quite a few tricksters who came to Old North Knoxville. I dressed as Santa Claus and handed out candy, while my wife and daughter went trick-or-treating with some friends. I surprised a few young tricksters when I would open the sidelight window next to our front door and stick my head out. Some were rendered speechless. A few asked if I was real, to which I replied, “I’m as real as you.” Two or three wanted to touch my white-gloved hand or my beard. A few older, more “seasoned” kids started into their Christmas wish list, including one young lady who wanted both an iPad and an iPhone among the items on her list. I just don’t know if she has been good enough to receive both or even one. She looked a little naughty to me. Then, again, I guess Halloween was the night for a little naughtiness.