I don't mean to be a curmudgeon, but evidently I am.

I arrived home closer to 6:30 than 6:00. I had no sooner walked in the back door, and the front doorbell rang. I hadn't even had time to take off my jacket, so I didn't race to answer it. I also realized I had not purchased anything for the kids, so I ignored the bell; I had actually earlier thought of getting some gold dollars to distribute instead, since we have such low volume--it'd probably be cheaper and certainly easier with the left-overs.

The dogs were barking with that whiny attention getting bark, not the fierce house-protecting bark. Rather than upset some kids by letting them think that I was purposely ignoring them, I remained quiet, hoping they'd think no one was home. Of course, I knew I was ignoring them, but I didn't want to dash any young spirits.

I hadn't turned on the front light, although as I rode down the street I noticed many neighbors had. Many of them also had thematic decorations in their yards or on their doors, most of which were open, although their storm doors were closed against the cold. I figured lights-out and no pumpkins or scary things would be a good "we're not participating" message, but apparently some people try anyway.

After the dogs settled, I went out and retrieved my flag, which was still flying in the dark, but left the light off. I ensured the front room's window blinds were closed, but left the light on in the room (it's on a timer, and I didn't want to futz). I went into my home office, which also faces the front of the house, and settled in to work on a website I'm tinkering with. While curtained, I'm sure that with lights inside and dark outside I may be hazily visible to people out doors.

The doorbell didn't ring again for about an hour. I had just stuck my hand in the microwave to remove my reheated dinner, and the dogs went off in their frenzy. I still didn't have candy to distribute, so I ignored them, too, continuing my preparations and sat in front of the tube to catch some news while I sucked down some calories. After I ate and heard all I needed to about Libby's resignation, I returned to my website development.

That was it. No more trick or treaters. Two rings on the bell, and possibly some more polite folk passing the dark houses on the block. I don't think our neighborhood is as into the day as some; about half of the houses were dark.

Last year the girl child was home, watching movies with a guy pal, and she took door duties. We had six costumed urchins.

The wife was at her mother's helping distribute massive sugar to the parade of serious masses. An estimated 560 pieces, one each, she reported upon arrival. They do it big in that neighborhood.