Trick or treat, pumpkins, witches and warlocks. I did not grow up in a tradition of Hallowe'en, and I only really came to know it after I moved to the UK, now 26 years ago. Children knocking on your door, asking for sweets, and if you didn't give them the treat, they could play a trick on you. So, bags of sweeties at the ready.
There is a more serious side to it.
A misconception exists that black cats are associated with witches and wizardry (they are not), which some see as a pretext to mistreat the animals Absolutely unacceptable, and I repost the image from 2006 where an animal shelter will not give out black cats for adoption around October 31st. 
Hallowe'en is the abbreviation for the Eve of All Hallows, November 1st, when we remember those who have gone on ahead in the past year. I shall do so in quiet contemplation.
November 1st is also known as Samhainn, the start of the Celtic winter. The clocks went back last Sunday, putting our sunset time back to 4.45pm - and receding. Today was a nice day, with seasonally normal temperatures. But winter is coming, and the coal fire is lit tonight.
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