Autumn Memories

 

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.

Skellington Manor Doll Room

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!