Happy Halloween

It's that time again--Halloween. I love Halloween. I heard a radio talk show yesterday--Adler On-Line--and the host Charles Adler was talking about how some school board in Toronto wanted to now call Halloween--Orange and Black day. Give me a break. Why do some people always have to take the fun out of everything. Halloween is a fun, fun day for kids and adults so why is there this big push to ruin a good thing. Why? Why? Why? If we're having fun it's not a good thing? Charles was hilarious as he talked about how this was ridiculous to take away Halloween. By the way, he has a great show. He is by far my favourite talk show radio host. Anyway, all of you out there, HAVE A GREAT HALLOWEEN. I will not be calling this Orange and Black Day-- I'm sorry. And if my children had to go a school that decided to do that--I would write Halloween all over their costumes. And when I have grandchildren one day I will be encouraging them to go Trick or Treating. My kids are now teens and I miss going trick or treating with them. Yes, I was the mother who dressed up and took the kids out. I loved it! So much fun. And what is so wrong about fun???? Let's stop being so bloody politically correct and just enjoy ourselves for a change.
Okay, so I've been travelling a lot and touring schools with my books. I had such a wonderful time at all the libraries and schools I visited. And many, many, many schools had HALLOWEEN decorations all over the walls. Yeah!! Pumpkins and scary ghosts and black cats. The schools were amazing and I do love the children. One funny story was at Diamond Willow School in Ponoka. Maureen Bell, the librarian, was introducing me and told the children that I was married to someone sort of famous in Canadian hockey. Then she asked, "Does anyone know who that is? Think of her last name." A lovely child put up his hand and said, "Don Cherry."
Well, I thought I would pee my pants laughing. Kids do say the darndest things.
So thank you to all the schools who invited me to come and speak, I'm always grateful and I always love talking and meeting students. It is a great part of my career as a children's author.
AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE.