"Oh, Halloween is just around the corner" . . . Each year some idiot sits down and begins to run through all that stuff about Halloween, where it originated. He goes through the same yearly rubbish about the day preceding All Souls Day and the part about flying witches and walking pumpkins . . . . Phooey! Perhaps we should go back and take a look at how other people handled All Hallows Eve.

In Britain the Druids were busy honoring Samhain, Lord of the Dead. Now's the time to treasure all horses, cats, and fellow people (know anybody you'd like to knock off about now?), for the good old Druids sacrificed to honor their god!

Ancient Romans handled Halloween a little more to our liking. They held a feast to honor Pomona! Since she was the goddess of fruit trees, feasting was in order (Wine, women, and song! Eh, fellows?) Then the Christians came, and out went the orgy.

Ninth century Roman Catholics considered Halloween a day of fasting before feasting (our view has, once more, changed a little!)

Of course, the cat just had to get into the act again! Our feline friends united and formed a common front with the witch. Nowadays we're starting a new witch cult based on the Salem branch. Endora and Aunt Clara of Bewitched show the "new breed" in the cult of the dead! (Here, here! Witches arise!)

We of the non‑witch breed can still enjoy Halloween. Just think, it's the one day of the year when we can dress up and go out on the streets and remember our "kid‑hood" days. We're even taking a trend back toward Roman days Halloween parties (ha‑cha!).

Well, that pretty well covers both the historical and the hysterical about Halloween, All Saints Day or what ever! Oh, if any one of you fellows is in love with an Irish lass, you might try to find out if she still abides by the old custom of a candle in her right hand and a mirror in the other. If, you can be at her house at midnight (without her knowing it), maybe she'll see you in a mirror when she tries to see the spirit of her true‑love by looking behind her in the glass . . . there may be a lot of Irish converts this year.

Have fun!