California Raisin

As a child what was your favorite part of Halloween: the candy, the dress up, haunted houses or mazes?

My favorite part was going door-to-door in my neighborhood, knowing who had the good stuff and who didn't. I remember after hitting all the good houses in the neighborhood, we'd jump in the car and start heading to family and friends to get more treats.

Oddly enough, I was never a big Halloween candy fan. Don't get me wrong, I had my favorites like Snickers and Paydays, but beyond that I didn't really care. I was the kid whose candy was leftover in the plastic pumpkin basket until the next year if my parents or I didn't throw it away before then.

I think one of my all-time favorite costumes was a homemade costume. I went to a Halloween party with judges who voted on the following categories: most creative, scariest, and funniest costume. I went as a California Raisin and I had a "boombox" that played I Heard it Through the Grapevine by CCR and Got Sunshine by the Temptations. I still remember the huge sunglasses, big shoe covers and the brown trash bag wrinkled and stuffed so I would look like a raisin. I really thought I was all that. Unfortunately, the judges didn't agree, so I didn't win any prizes. My competitive nature still has me a little miffed about that, but what I really remember is how much fun my mom and I had creating a unique costume that wasn't store bought that we felt would be most creative or funniest.

This Halloween, I'll be dressing up again, with props...this time, I will be the house in the neighborhood with the good stuff ready to pass out to the kiddos. I can't wait to see what creative, scary, and funny characters, creatures, and objects will stop by.