An Eighth Shot of Espresso: Coffee and Creativity on Mum's Third Shift

Halloween  It's time for  trick or treating bobbing for apples  ghosts and goblins  spiders and ghouls  Skeletons and phantoms all dressed in their darkest best the witch's cauldron bubbles with a tasty concoction The one night of the year  where ghosts and demons  can join the party and no one will distinguish the living from the dead we are all the same.

Banshee cry pierces through the night a wail of mourning a warning of what is to come mothers, protect your children fathers, barricade the door the drunk who stumbles home should really watch his steps For the night falls quickly  the the wind swirls the leaves the veil between the worlds becomes thin, even thinner and the dead can overhear the call for yet another to join their ranks.

Raindrops quiver at the edge of clouds like tears being held back by pure force of will. The sun has abandoned the skies above for greener pastures and more cheerful views. Grey clouds as the seasons turn warmth chased out by cooler winds and life fades leaving grave markers behind. The veil between the worlds thins for just this one time look between time and space open your heart and mind. What secrets can you learn what knowledge can you acquire even as the night finally succumbs and cries in cold rain.

I went to the Halloween store as I do every year, I looked at the costumes all on display from the horrific to the absurd You could dress up like your ghost or vampire or a ghoul or a witch as a pirate or a pineapple. There were signs and flags cat ears and demon horns fake blood and trick knives. I'm a kid at heart on the one night of the year where you can dress up and forget who you usually are and act like who you are meant to be. And I wish you were there with me but you've never been one to see the purpose in it.

Jolly pumpkin in August They already have Halloween on the shelves Ghosts and ghouls are there year round They don't wait for October. The next aisle over are red holly berries in green leaves stockings and figurines Might as well set up your winter wonderlands while it is a hundred degrees outside. And turkeys go gobble gobble on placeholder napkins and gravy boats for Grandma's evening dinner complete with cranberry jelly. I wonder if they all get confused: Spooky ghosts haunt Santa's elves while being pursued by a clueless turkey.