So It Begins

Halloween kicks off the Fall-Winter holiday season on my personal calendar, so I can't help but see it as an indicator of how the holidays that follow it will go. This year the kids all had costumes they liked, the weather was good, the candy was plentiful, and I managed to put up seasonal flair. Hell, I even carved three jack-o-lanterns. Good ones.

You see where this is headed, right?

"Katya, are you sure the children should go for candy this year with the Swine Flu around?" asked my mother-in-law.

"We'll make them wash their hands when they come home," I countered. It was already 4 PM and the candy and pumpkins were ready. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

Glare. "I'll remind you later," she threatened as she returned to her lair. Later as in when the children are all on their influenza death-beds, to be sure.