October

 

More memories. My grandfather, John Springer was born and married and died in October. Gary’s grandmother died in October.

We also have a few current family birthdays in October. Austin should know right now that his card is late and I have no excuse except senility. (I’m going to be using that one a lot.)

But my thoughts each year when I change the calendar are of Halloween. That is all I will hear about in class, probably beginning with today. “Guess what I’m going to be for Halloween, Mrs. Maurer!” I’ll smile and go along with the fun and games, but Halloween is my least favorite holiday for a dozen reasons. It’s fun to dress up and pretend for a day, but really what is the point anymore? Kids eat more candy in a day than we used to eat in a week. Half the time they are following some fashion “theme” or trend that makes them look like they are wearing a costume every day. Many older ones use Halloween as an excuse for mean or even violent behavior.

Halloween has lost its meaning over the years and most people have no idea of its origins. It comes from an ancient Celtic harvest celebration in which the farmers would make offerings to the spirits in order to ward off the sickness and evils of the coming winter. They believed that on this one day the spirits were out and about blessing or cursing them. They lit bonfires and wore animal masks and skins. They feared repercussions if the spirits were unhappy with them. There are a dozen slightly different versions of that origin online, but the gist of it is the same. Seems silly to keep celebrating it now, especially when it creates so many safety issues for our children.

Oh, well, down from the soapbox.

October is also a very busy month for me. Tomorrow is Heritage Day and I’ll be wandering Buffalo Street with my camera.

Our school fund-raising carnival is the 15^th.

Parent-teacher conferences and report cards next.

Fall break begins the 20^th.

Then Halloween parties and insanity.

And of course October 1 means you’d better get out there and start your Christmas shopping in earnest if you want any bargains!!

Have a great day!

Comments

[Megan]

As long as your soap box was constructed from empty candy boxes festooned with every conceivable Halloween decoration and some Christmas flair that is on sale next to the Halloween stuff then I'm okay with you preaching 'til the cows come home.