Last night, for the second year in a row, instead of waiting with baited breath in our respective homes for hordes trick or treaters we knew would not come, we all gathered in the Sherman-Jollis driveway next door for an outdoor fire, chili, snacks and baked goods. I made a cornbread in a big old cast iron pan, which has become surprisingly easy now that I've done it a few times.
At its peak last night there were about fourteen of us, almost all empty nesters plus Dylan and Christine, the younger couple across the street who either haven't gotten around to having kids or for some reason decided not to. For all of our sakes over the long run, I hope they change their mind. Over the short run too, it's nice to see kids around.
At a federal and state level, it would be better to see more kids, because they'll be growing up and paying into Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes as we age and need benefits. The local school system, of course, is all too happy for us to stick around paying high property taxes but not sending kids to school, which costs money.
But why am I going off on money all the time. Last night we saw all of one trick or treater. One. All night. Yes it is hilly and yes the lots are large, so kids theoretically need to work hard to get any candy. But in fact that one kid could have just taken our bowls of candy, dumped it in his plastic pumpkin and called it a night. One trick or treater is a new all time low.
But we had a great time sitting around the fire, telling stories about old neighbors, their pets, storms of yore, growing up. The last five of us finally went home around 10:30.
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