Everett at the beginning of his trick-or-treat rounds last night.

He had picked up his costume and accessory last week and commented "my first real costume," meaning he'd never purchased one before. He was pretty thrilled and could hardly wait for Halloween to come.

We even got a trick-or-treater here at the farm! For the first time since moving here. The first year I made super-treats; no one came and I ended up bagging them and sending them off to the kids we know. The following years I made sure to buy treats to have on hand, and when no kids came we were glad to have mini chocolate bars and smarties around the house for a month. This year I didn't buy any, and little Althea came. Fortunately there were a few caramels left in the glass canister on the kitchen cupboard and I was able to give her a robust handful. She was tickled, too -- who wouldn't be -- caramels?

Wish I'd see a big bag of the chocolate ones somewhere.

Dropped Everett off at the northwest end of town and arranged for him to meet me in one hour at a café, where I'd be finished my supper and we could make more plans. He came in on time, finished up my french fries, and headed out again.

I went out into the cold- sharp wind in the street -and gassed up the van; then ... well anyway, I was out and about. 'Nuff said. Went to Grandma's at 8, to find that Everett had had enough candy-collecting an hour before I got there.

I had driven slowly around the residential streets watching for him, and listening to CBC radio's show, and sipping on a cup of hot decaf. Perfectly fine way to spend an hour.