Time for Ghosts, Goblins, Pumpkins and Candy

It’s Halloween time.  Time to worry about what funny costume to wear on October 31 the day of the holiday.   (I prefer all black with a witches hat covered with silvery spider webs) - to share lots of silly pumpkin shaped candies and decorate with images of ghosts, goblins and witches flying through the air.  This year the celebration comes as a welcome respite from sad and worrisome news, ads for political candidates and terrible weather reports. 

Best known in the US and Canada, Halloween is a holiday with roots dating back to pagan times.  Celebrated around the world, in most countries it is a holiday to honor ancestors, friends and relatives who are no longer living.   However, here in the US the focus is on fun, a time for children to collect candy as they ask:  Trick or treat? expecting a sweet treat in return.