Halloween has turned into major holiday

It is somehow fitting that next week begins with Halloween and continues on with election day.
All of the little witches and goblins are out soliciting candy or votes and promising things they can't possibly provide.
As usual, I have a problem with campaign ads. Why, oh, why won't these people tell me why I should vote for them? Instead we are treated to signs showing adorable children as if the ability to reproduce guarantees the ability to do the job they are applying for.
We are told the candidate is a life-long resident of wherever. Do you know what that means to me? That means they are unaware of how other people outside their little circle live. They are unaware of other solutions to situations. They are mired in the thinking that this is the way it has always been and that is how it always will be. They are a part of the good old boys network.
Don't get me wrong. The good old boys network does have its advantages. They know where the skeletons are in people's closets and aren't above using that information to persuade people to get things accomplished. Plus the good old boys know what has and has not worked in the past.
Just once I would like to see a list of qualifications for office and have all the candidates list the reasons why they are the best choice for the job. The interviews and questionnaires that are published in the newspaper are informative except that candidates are so careful not to offend anyone that they use up newsprint not saying anything at all.
It is disappointing in a way that Halloween is not.
Halloween has  morphed into  a major holiday. According to the National Retail Federation this year's total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $5.89 billion, which is approximately $1 billion more than in 2009.
Wow. That's seems like a lot of money. That figure includes all the candy makers, pumpkin growers, costume makers and all those decorations that pop up on lawns and in windows. There's clothing, jewelry, crafts, books, you name it, it can be adapted to Halloween.
Thankfully, most people view Halloween as the harmless outlet that it is. I have recently been treated to adorable pictures of my grandchildren and almost grandchildren. Emma is going as Jungle Girl, complete with stuffed monkey. I wonder if she has ever heard of Jane Goodall? Probably not, but there are far worse people to emulate.
Her almost sibling, Nathaniel, is going as a Grim Reaper. Frankly he looked more like one of those creatures from a Star Wars movie but maybe that is what the Grim Reaper really looks like. I don't know, yet.
Emma's other almost sibling, Paige, is going the traditional route. She is a witch. A good witch. Her costume is complete with a long red wig. Having grown up with redheads I can truthfully say that their reputation for being … um … rather adamant about things is well earned. She's a sweet little girl so I don't think she will turn into the wicked version of a witch any time soon.
I haven't seen a picture of toddler Jacob in costume. Wait. I did see a photo of him with a yellow bra draped over his head and a big grin on his face. But I don't think that was his entire costume.
As usual, the only thing I do for the holiday is to set out a couple of cute little witch figurines. I don't give out candy. I don't decorate my house and lawn. I don't wear black lipstick. I used to wear pumpkin earrings but I haven't worn earrings for so long that now I can't. I am attempting to carve a mummy. I might be finished by next Halloween.
I have also been reading about the candidates up for election. I have almost determined who I am going to vote for then I read something else that makes me change my mind. I probably won't make a definite choice until I am in the voting booth.
Halloween is a fun, frivolous holiday. Election day is serious business. Both deal with the unknown. Both involve taking chances on assorted people hiding behind masks; be they store-bought masks or carefully crafted personas.
I hope you participate in both holidays and we all end up with more treats than tricks.[[In-content Ad]]