Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Beggars' Night

Urbandale is unique compared to other places I have lived in that children here don't "Trick or Treat" on Halloween. Instead, they do so the day before Halloween on Beggars' Night. The way this is SUPPOSED to work is that the kids come in their costumes to beg for candy, but are supposed to tell a joke in order to get the treat.

This tradition started because Halloween pranks had gotten out of hand, resulting in hundreds of calls to the police department and a number of arrests for vandalism. In 1938 some 550 calls to report vandalism were made to the police. In an effort to address the problem, October 30 was designated as Beggars' Night and the emphasis was on harmless "tricks" such as a song or poem or stunt or musical number ... which has evolved into jokes.

In recent years the number of kids visiting our house has dropped off, but most of the ones that came did have jokes to share. Tonight I was very much surprised that hardly any of  those visiting us had jokes to tell. "Do you have a joke?", I asked one little boy dressed up as one of the modern super heroes I don't recognize. "No," he said. "I just want candy."

Another little boy, also without a joke, wasn't content to have me hand out candy. He reached up and grabbed the large bowl I was holding and barked, "I want to get my own candy!" I informed him that I would be handing out the candy ... and somehow managed to avoid him tipping out the contents of the bowl.

Some typical examples of Beggars' Night jokes from previous years:
  • Why didn't the skeleton cross the street? Because he didn't have any guts.
  • What do skeletons say before they begin dining? Bone appetit!
  • Where do baby ghosts go during the day? Day-scare centers.
  • What is a ghost's favorite syrup flavor? Boo-berry.
Actually, I finally did hear a few jokes tonight, including these:
  • What is a mummy's favorite type of music? Rap music.
  • Why do witches wear name tags? Because they can't tell which witch is which.
  • How do you light up a soccer stadium? With a soccer match. (Not a Halloween joke, I know, but better than nothing.)
  • And -- the most questionable joke of the evening -- Have you seen the movie "Constipated" yet? Of course not; it hasn't come out yet!
Happy Halloween, er, Beggars' Night!


Monday, October 29, 2012

Blessed

I just finished reading two books. One, by Gerald Lund, was recommended to me by my mother. The title is "The Undaunted: The Miracle of the Hole-In-The-Rock Pioneers." This is a book of fiction based on actual events describing the tremendous sacrifice of pioneer families called to leave their homes and cross desolate, nearly impassible areas in the middle of winter to establish settlements in the four corners region. What they went through in response to the call they received is almost beyond imagination.

Here is a photo of the Hole in the Rock through which the pioneer had to take their wagons in order to reach their destination. How did they do it?



The second book is one I picked up at a thrift store. This is "The Blind Side" by Michael Lewis. (No, I didn't see the movie.) The author relates the story of Michael Oher, one of thirteen children born to a crack addicted mother who somehow defies the odds and, with the help of his adopted family, completes high school, graduates from college where he starred as a football player, and as the book ends is drafted in the first round of the National Football League.

Here is an image of the book cover. 


The common theme of these tales is people achieving what they could not really have been expected to accomplish. In both cases they overcame problems and challenges that appeared to be insurmountable.

I am blessed and my problems pale in comparison to what others experience. I hope my children and grandchildren come to understand that they have reservoirs of strength that will allow them to overcome trials and tribulations, and to accomplish great things in their lives. They, too, will be blessed by a kind and loving Heavenly Father when they turn to him in faith and obedience and sacrifice.