I love Halloween. It’s one of the holidays that I have fond memories of from my youth and that I still enjoy as an adult. And sometimes I think about how things have changed from when I was a kid for the worse. But the other day I was presented with a new tradition, and, boy, do I like it!

The hubs came home and saw an orange bag on the porch. In it was candy and these two notes:

and

We had been Booed. I had never heard of this before. And here was my dilemma: It’s candy. From a stranger. Do I enjoy it or toss it as too suspect? Well, we ate it! But only after Wendy at Southern Mom told us that this is a new tradition and that the treat was placed there, most likely, by a neighbor of ours. Well, now here’s a tradition I can really get behind! Candy given and received without any real expectation. A simple act of anonymous kindness.

I LOVE our neighborhood. Have I mentioned this before? We have great neighbors–many of which are over 65 years old. There are some small children, but not many. We all look out for each other, say hi to one another and know everyone’s name (that’s kinda easy ’cause there are three Georges surrounding us!). So the idea of giving back to this community really excites me.

Here’s how this Booing thing works (as per the notes left with it): You post the Phantom’s picture in your window so as not to get Booed again. Then you Boo three more of your neighbors within 24 hours and include in their treat the notes to keep it going. So now I am on the look-out to see the Phantom in everyone’s window by Halloween. Here’s our lout ready to be placed:

Haven’t been Booed? Why not start it off in your neighborhood? I promise it will make you feel gooey in the middle (or at least the candy will feel that way).

Oh, and while I am on the topic, I cannot mention Halloween and my neighbors without adding these pics:

These pictures really do not do this house justice. These folks go ALL OUT for Halloween (only to outdo themselves for Christmas–more on that later). They simply MUST have a storage unit somewhere to store all their decorations. That, or someone is sleeping with the Grim Reaper.

Have your own trick or treat story to tell? Post about it and leave a link to your post here with Mr. Linky so we can all go “trick or treating” online!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!