I suspect that most adults and children of school age know that there are no devils, witches and aliens – except in the minds of mischief makers who are akin to the evil geniuses who corrupt our beloved means of communication through computers and e-mails.  I won’t venture into the realm of “you tube” (whatever that means).

But for generations little kids go around and threaten homeowners with “trick or treat”.  This is turned around. They should all be dressed as angels, fairies and such and entreat the adults for a treat to avoid a trick.  The tricks can be, in some areas, pretty violent and messy.  Most little ones who are accompanied by elders have it right.  They eagerly hope to impress the householder with the wonder of their costumes and hold out bags for the loot they expect to extract.  This is a time for too much sugar, candy and whatever the manufacturers have assembled as “treats” to be doled out on the whim of the householder – and not because of the threat of the costumed beggar.

I remember the times when I created the costumes for my boys.  I don’t think they remember the turtles I made for them to wear.  They had a helmet that was a turtle beak and a body with a domed back, gloves on their hands and legs sticking out of the bottom.  I thought they were pretty neat and there are areas where the community puts up a prize for the best costume.  I would, naturally, eliminate all “bought” costumes immediately.

There were even the times we adults with small children held parties and dressed for them.  I remember one woman who passed out for her husband (he was in the garment trade) made the silvered material too tight around her neck.

Actually, I have always detested masks for they hide our true selves and seldom reveal anything important about who we are.  Fun is fun but not every one gets the joke.  But, I suppose, without the aid of St. something or another, we humans will dress up in dopey or frightening costumes to emulate superman, the heroic four or five or Spiderman who seems to be in ascendancy today.  Batman and Robin had their day but imagination knows no bounds and there will always be the will and the way to dress up, cross dress or become something not quite human for a bit of time at this time of the year.

I still think that they got it all wrong and the cry should be: “Treat or trick!” Somehow the tricks become causes for stomach aches and child-like hang-overs.