Autumn Memories
Halloween has passed.
It’s my favorite all time holiday.
I get excited for it in late August when leaves begin to dance through
the air and land on the ground. Even earlier,
when sumac and its leaves become bright red, I know it’s coming.
Soon, caramel apples are out in the stores, and pumpkins and
gourds make their appearance. My Mom,
Dad, and I would take trips to the country on weekends looking for the caramel
apples, gourds, and the biggest pumpkins.
I liked making doll heads from gourds, which I first read about in a
book by Lois Lenski. I also found and
make cornhusk dolls. We couldn’t wait
for the annual Spoon River festivals and Scenic drives, inspired by Edgar Lee
Masters’ Spoon River Anthology.
My mom and I decorated our picture window with Halloween cut
outs. My Dad rounded up all my friends
and took us trick or treating. Neighbors
made ups popcorn balls, caramel apples, and brownies, but we got plenty of
treats and little toys.
Now, I live to see the dolls and animatronics at Terror at
Skellington Manor, our local haunted house, best ever. It’s housed in our old Masonic Temple building,
which was once home to the Women’s Club Antique Show. Mom and I started going when I was six. Ralph Griffiths of Ralph’s Antique Dolls
would come, and if Mom couldn’t go, Dad took me. My first antique doll, a Frozen Charlotte,
came from there.
Thanksgiving was around the corner, and we made turkey with
all the trimmings. Mom’s oyster dressing
was the star of the show, with my pecan pie, Dear Abby’s recipe, close behind. I decorated the table with pilgrims and
Native American dolls, and also made Cranberry bread. Black Friday we hit the road for Oakbrook Shopping
Center, or Yorkville, and Marshall Field’s and Carson Pirie Scott. We brought
home yule log cakes and gifts for everyone. In California our Thanksgiving dinner
was on Friday, then we took off for Macy’s.
We always watched the parade, of course Important to me because
puppeteers Tony Sarg and Bil Baird(Sound of Music puppets) developed the giant
Thanksgiving Day balloons.
Things are quieter now.
I do Halloween with my neighbor, best night of the year, and as she
says, we ride. November is a sad month because
I’ve lost so many people in my family, many on the same day, also dear friends and
school mates. We go out, usually my
husband, me, and a friend. Black Friday
it’s Sushi and MItsuwa Shopping Center. We visit my cousin around Christmas; it’s
Christmas whenever we are together. Our
presents are modest; we decorate what we can.
We remember our family and friends, and great Christmases past, and we
go one. Happy Holidays everyone!
