Jack-O'-Lanterns

When I moved to Texas, I learned that unlike in New England, jack-o'-lanterns do not last long in this environment. When I was growing up in New England a carved pumpkin would last a couple of weeks.  Well in West Texas, a carved pumpkin lasts days.

Last Friday, I purchased a solid, well developed pumpkin.  When I carved it on Monday night, it was already getting soft in spots. I have put it out with a candle for the last couple of night. It is actually holding up better than I thought it would.

I Like Halloween

I like Halloween. I like the idea of people wearing costumes that express their dreams or their alter egos, or just their imaginations or what they practically can use to make a costume.  I like jack- o'-lanterns, trick or treating if it is safe, and the idea that now, adults can participate at work or just in the world, by sharing trick or treats, or wearing costumes or both.   

I set my jack-o'-lantern out Monday night.  I burned the candle Monday night, Tuesday night, and tonight.  

There were only a few trick or treaters at my house tonight:  Two small children early on, and I gave candy to the older person supervising them; she might have been a young mother, or an older sister or cousin.

Much later, there was a group of about 8-10 children on my porch.  The ages ranged from pre-school to middle school.  They jostled each other around, and one young lady sadly was jostled from the front to the back, but got her treat. Now I wish I had given her more than one treat!

Later, a set of two, with no costumes arrived.  It was close to 9 PM, and that is my time to shut it down.  I leave the jack-o'-lantern burning, but I shut off the porch light, shut the front door, close the front window blind, shut off the front room lights, and repair to the computer room.  

I will light the candle in my jack-o'-lantern the next few nights, as long as the pumpkin lasts.  The candle is an inexpensive pillar candle and it will outlast the jack-o-lantern.