We were there on purpose but we hadn’t expected quite so much. There for a haunted house put on by the school as a fund raiser we found the whole street blocked off and children wandering about in costume.

At first we were confused. Were we in the right place? Had they forgotten to mention that this was an even for every small children?

Hesitantly we got out of the car and followed the trail of families.

As we passed one business then two, we realized it was an organized trick or treat. Every business in town was decorated and handing out candy. The first one we passed insisted the kids each take a piece of candy as my children politely tried to decline because they weren’t in costume.

Each place we passed insisted just the same. Teenagers handing candy out of the back of old pickups laughed and joked making conversation. Small children waddled along next to parent. Laughing and surprised we joined in.

Up and down main street we walked admiring and accepting candy forced upon us in that typical midwest hospitality. The weather was cool, the trees dripping golden leaves, the small town was picturesque. It could not get any better.

We did finally make it to the haunted house. It was delightful, quaint in the best way possible as high school kids got to play dress up and enjoy themselves without the requirement to be cool that is the normal in daily life.

Leaving town we wandered down side streets, looked at the decorations in yards, admired the beauty of a small town. This is what Halloween is about.

We lost one cat so my daughter had permission to get one more.

We ended up with three. They were settled in the barn where they could keep the mouse population nicely under controll. Until they moved to the house and joined the others in patrolling the back door least we should try to come and go from the house in peace.

Then the stray kitten wandered in. She began her life here by trying to walk under the hooves of all four horses. At once. Having survived that my daughter took over and moved her to the barn where she was fed, watered, and thoroughly loved.

Until we tried to work on equipment with her underfoot. She nearly died, several times. We all did really. So she was brought to the house to join the others. At least she’ll only trip us as we walk here. Better than being smashed as heavy equipment is worked on.

And then I tried to work horses.

All of the cats dove underfoot. Under the horse’s feet that is. The yellow one sat behind Sunshine, their coats matching perfectly, and batted at his tail. It might have been the yellow one again who dove under my youngest horse as I held her. Causing her to try to dive over the top of me. The newest black kitty who my daughter cherishes, has no fear of horse hooves. She would stand between them while I held my breath and tried to shoo her away. Which resulted in twining about my feet purring.

In the end I moved my horse trailer/tack room clear across the yard. The big yard. It is far away from cats and the haven’t found it or me yet as I try to work horses. The long walk is well worth it to not smash any darling kittens beneath the horse’s feet.

Dangs cats, I mutter under my breath as I swing yet another purring kitten into my arms to scratch. We need to cut back on all these dang cats.