While Halloween is not my favorite holiday, it is one that ranks high on my list. I mean, really, what’s not to like? Adults get to dress up and eat all the extra candy that isn’t handed out. Because…of course, our mothers always taught us not to waste food. Who could blame us for eating the leftover candy?

Over the years I have been everything from a Teletubby to a carton of milk paired with my lover at the time who was an oreo cookie. I’ve also dabbled in the DC Universe and have dressed as both a Villain (Catwoman) and heroine (Wonder Woman). I can’t really say that I rocked either costume, but I had fun. I don’t know if it’s the COVID effect or something else, but I haven’t put any thought into this year’s costume and don’t think I’ll dress us. Although, I have been provided the perfect excuse to dress up because I will be joining a virtual Lady Grimm Halloween party hosted by IReadIndies at 3PM Eastern time. There won’t be any readings at the event, but there will be questions for all the authors and y’all get to decide if we are answering those questions with a truth or a lie. Oh….the fun I am going to have with that. Of course when you give a storyteller permission to lie…we can make up some whoppers…but don’t assume we’ll all be lying!

So…here is this week’s research on the topic…I wanted to know the origin of trick or treat. The origins are a bit fuzzy but can be loosely traced back to the original Celtic celebration called Samhain where villagers dressed in costumes and banquet tables were prepared with food. In Medieval times, the tradition evolved to people dressing as ghosts or demons who performed tricks in exchange for food. England took the traditions a bit further in the nineteenth century, where the less fortunate souls would visit the houses of wealthier families. On those visits, they would collect pastries called soul cakes in exchange for prayers for the souls of the homeowners’ dead relatives. Known as “souling.” This evolved to the modern-day tradition when children began going door to door asking for gifts such as food, money, and ale. Ah…to have lived during that time and gotten ale instead of candy! We can definitely thank the Irish fleeing the potato famine for bringing the Halloween traditions to the US.

I hope y’all will join the party on the 31st. It is sure to be a treat for all. Of course, I also hope you check out my books as we ease on into Fall. What goes better with reading than a roaring fire and a cup of tea or coffee? Just click the links below! Don’t forget to check out the sale books with MyLesfic.com. This week is Ali Spooner week, with two of my fellow Affinity sister’s books on sale: Sugarland and Bayou Justice.