In the eleven years I’ve lived here at Oak Manor, I’ve never had a trick-or-treater come to my door on Halloween night. (Or any other night, for that matter, and thank goodness for that). And yet last night I did what I do every Halloween. I kept all the outside lights off. I kept all the inside lights off. I didn’t exactly cower in the dark, but I did watch a movie in the dark. A black and white movie, just for extra protection.

It worked better than garlic on the door. Or it didn’t work at all, and I’m just lucky enough to live so far off the beaten path that even greedy children (not to mention greedy teenagers and greedy adults) don’t find it worth the effort to trudge through the high grass to get to my stash of nonexistent candy.

The remoteness of Oak Manor works on auditors, too, but not on religious zealots. Those missionary types are relentless, and not even garlic on the door keeps them away. Maybe it’s because I’m always polite to them when I shut the door in their face that keeps them coming back. It’s a little like the charity that you give a dollar to one time. You hear from them for the rest of your life, no matter how steadfastly you ignore them.

Which is not to say I don’t give to charity. Let’s get that straight. I just don’t give to every one that comes along, every time they ask. Okay? And it’s a little harder to part with my money as the years go by and I’m trying to build up my retirement fund, or my funeral fund, whichever comes first. I’m not planning on needing either for a long, long time, but you never know. Life plays funny tricks, in between the random treats.

In other news, yes, I seem to be back, but don’t draw any particular conclusions, other than yes, I seem to be back. I am refraining from putting any pressure on myself with regard to the timing of entries, or the subject matter. But I like being here, and I’d like to be here more often, and I’d like to hear from you. Thanks for your patience and support over the years. It means a lot.