Creatively Scary

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I like the playfulness and the opportunity to 'dress up'; it's a nice reminder of being a kid.  Though quite frankly, when I was a child, Halloween in the country wasn't very exciting.  City kids don't realize how lucky they are to be able to walk around a neighborhood, collecting candy and treats.  Those of us with rural backgrounds had to rely on how willing our parents were to drive us long distances.  I honestly believe every Halloween of my childhood fell on a school night, because I don't remember trick or treating at more than two or three houses!  Fortunately, I grew up in an age when public schools were still permitted to have Halloween carnivals, and we always had lots of fun with the apples, dunking booths, and cake walks.  I get a big grin out of seeing Wofford students hosting similar festivities for local children.  I also suspect that the Wofford students are having as much or even more fun than the kiddies are!

Another pleasure of the day after Halloween is scanning Facebook for pictures from student parties. Our Wofford students are pretty creative when it comes to their costumes.  I've spotted flappers, ghouls, superheroes, and even the Mad Hatter and the Brawny Paper Towel man.  The Wofford faculty also had a Halloween party, and I think our students would be proud of our creativity as well---Cleopatra appeared (minus her snake!), as well as the Milky Way, several wicked witches, a Nerd, the Prisoner, and even a Musketeer.  Halloween is perfect timing.  Midway through the semester, having just issued midterm grades, many of us feel the need to be a little crazy in order to preserve our sanity for the long downhill stretch to Finals.

I've always thought a good costume made you look like something you're definitely NOT, but some of my students might think I'm 'undead' in class on occasion.  And I definitely feel like a zombie after tackling a pipe of freshman papers.