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This photo is of a Texas High School Senior dressed elaborately in her “mum” for Homecoming! A strong Southern tradition!
Other traditions call for Halloween costumes, parties, trick or treating, hay rides, a pumpkin farm visit, and yummy sugary foods to warm our hearts!
What favorite memory do you have from childhood, teen years, college days? Take this moment to jot down the memory that comes first to mind. My memory below is a favorite anecdote about our Alaska life.
The first year Don and I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, our sons were aged 2 and 3.5 years. We were so excited to take them trick or treating – bundled up, to be sure, because that day the temperature had dropped to 40 degrees below zero! As California transplants, we thought surely we could trick or treat to nearby houses. “Cheechakos” (Newcomers) is what we were! So, with boys in costumes over snow suits, Don and his friend Phil carried them out to the sidewalk. In ten minutes they were back. Neighbors wouldn’t open their doors, but called from inside, “No trick or treating this year.” In the far North, casual social life pauses in the face of minus 50 degrees. The following year, I celebrated Halloween with my boys by organizing a noon-time neighborhood parade of snow-suited preschoolers, some costumed, some with masks, and all happy to be outdoors in a comfortable temp that was about minus 25 degrees! Then back to our house for hot chocolate, cookies, and games! Assimilation!
No doubt some autumn traditions played a part in your life. Share your memories and we’ll post them over the next few weeks. Please send your responses to Larry Noedel or Susie Wood. Thanks!
What can you learn from your DNA matches? (Part 1)
