Even though it was colder than h-e-double-hockey-sticks outside today, our grandsons Ollie and Gabe and our dear young friend Fern made out like little bandits. We only went around a couple blocks, and the kids got their plastic jack o’lantern candy buckets pretty much filled up. In preparation, of course, we grownups sampled the trick-or-treat bowl before (and OK, after) the annual march for free candy began.

The youngsters were already pumped up before we went trick-or-treating. They dashed about from house to house with seemingly endless energy. They even remembered to say “thank you” a few times without being reminded!! Many times they were reminded, but who cares. It’s Hallowe’en for crying out loud. Very exciting stuff.

Fern lives in a nice, quiet neighborhood. Reminded me of when we were kids; nothing to be afraid of, all the trick-or-treaters were courteous, everyone had a great time. This year saw fewer kids because of the weather… although it wasn’t raining or snowing, holy MOLY it was cold and windy!! But the candy bowl we grownups filled back at Fern’s house got emptied out rather nicely.

Can’t help but think back to our childhoods while going door to door… my wife and I both hailed from fairly populous, suburban neighborhoods; very similar to the one we trekked through tonight. I reminisced aloud, “I remember when I was a kid, we’d fill a whole pillow case full of candy. Then we’d go home and dump it out, and go out for more.”

Ah, the good old days of tooth decay…

Now that I’m a “big person,” sometimes I like some “adult candy.” And no, I don’t mean candy that is X-rated!! Rather, I’m referring to what my Beautiful Girlfriend and I call “zoomer beans.” These are more commonly known as chocolate covered espresso beans; and if you eat several of them, they give you some pep in your step. If you eat many; you’ll probably enjoy a persistent wiggling of the eyebrows while speaking very quickly about random topics while pacing about. Or not… suffice it to say that you probably won’t sleep well if you have zoomer beans before bed. So please, don’t do that.

Any parent knows that Hallowe’en candy has a very similar effect on kids. As I mentioned earlier, they were already excited just because it was trick-or-treating time. Add that to a few large handfuls of candy consumed in a very short time; and you very energetic children on your hands. All three of our little zoomer kids were racing around and shrieking with glee; right up till it was time to go home. Then of course when the parents are ready to go, the zoomer kids aren’t exactly using their listening skills. “Get your coat on please,” says Mom. “Get your COAT on PLEASE!! HEY!! I SAID GET YOUR COAT ON!!!”

Fern’s Grandma put it very nicely: we all enjoyed another year of a new Hallowe’en tradition. Dinner with very dear friends, then off we go with children out to play ghosts and goblins (or in this case, Darth Vader, Yoda, and Princess Leia). And of course we mustn’t forget the 137 metric tons of sugary treats they collect while canvassing the neighborhood.

Just like the old days when we were the zoomer kids!

So tonight we saw a soldier, some Star Wars characters, a girl dressed as a box of candy, but no monsters!! Monsters were a big deal when I was a kid… well here’s a dog monster that would have been fun to see.

Happy Friday!!! is both early and short this week because my Beautiful Girlfriend and I are celebrating our 41^st wedding anniversary. We’re both in disbelief that time flew so quickly; but we are very grateful that the marriage we’ve worked so hard to keep is getting better with every day.

I’m in love with my best friend!! Can’t ask for much more than that. We can’t help but reminisce about times gone by, and a local business establishment helps us “get in the groove;” just like when we were kids. I’m talking about the Getty 4 Drive In, one of the country’s few remaining drive in movie theaters. We just got home from there; and had a very enjoyable evening. The culturally significant film we watched was “Expendables 3.”

It was great fun.

Tomorrow, we head for Aurora, Illinois to see The Turtles. When I told some my young friends (younger than me) about how excited we are, some would give a puzzled look and say, “is that some kind of marine exhibit?” Then I said, “you know, the old rock group. There’s only Flo and Eddie left (the founding members), but they’re still rockin’.” The puzzled looks continued until I broke into song…

“I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but you,

for all my life.

When you’re with me, baby the skies will be blue

for all my life….”

Then they’d nod and say, “ohhh sure… I’ve heard that one.” Then I continue describing the rest of the “Happy Together Tour,” Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night, Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. By then I’ve basically lost them, but what the hey.

We got on YouTube and watched some “then and now” videos of these guys. A friend of mine gets a little disgruntled when the old rockers practice their craft on the Grammys or whatever. But we give them great credit for getting up there and kickin’ it out. Even though these geezers are up there in age, they can still rock. We’ve come to the conclusion that we’re gonna have a very nice time.

So I leave you now with a moldy oldie video of The Turtles singing what’s come to be their signature song.

Peace and Love,

Kenny