TALES FROM THE BAYOU: Trick Or Treat, Smell My Feet...

Give me something good to eat.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year, yet Halloween will always hold a special place in my heart. For the child I was, this time of the year reminds me poverty doesn't keep children from being able to participate in the age old tradition of running around the neighborhood in costumes begging for treats. Poverty doesn't prevent youngsters from being able to sit on their beds amongst a mountain of candy as they try to stop their head from swiveling off their shoulders, gazing in wonder at their good fortune.

And poverty won't make the sweet goodies disappear the next morning as the kiddies wake up from sugar induced dreams of just how, if they try really hard, they will make that stash last at least until next Easter if they're lucky.

My costumes were usually homemade and my "bucket" merely a pillowcase but there was such freedom to prowl the streets of my hometown with my siblings, knocking on doors and giggling to see my bounty grow by leaps and bounds. To sneak a piece here and there, to savor what I could not hope to have again for another year.

So I welcome the coming of fall with it's swirling array of multi-colored leaves crispy crackling under my feet as I count down to today.

My candyfest.

My savorfest.

My Halloween!