Happy Halloween, Be Safe

Preview for Sunday 103011

Hey folks,

Happy Halloween Eve. Good Sunday Morning to ya. Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Happy to have ya. I am of course, YOUR Provocateur of Thought himself, Peter Carlock. Congrats to The St. Louis Cardinals, 2011 World Series Champs. Thank you to both them and The Texas Rangers for one of the BEST World Series Championship Series of all time. Rangers? You have NOTHING to be ashamed of.

To all my friends up North. Uh, sorry. Keep warm. We here in Sunny South Florida are not so Sunny right now. Cloudy and drizzling. The Temp is a Chilly, well, 73. {Smile} Thank you for some of the Pictures. Pretty. I'll lend ya my Shovel. One of the Reasons I moved here. But it sure is Pretty. If YOU want to send me a Picture of that Pretty White Stuff, or, if YOU want to be a part of the OPNTalk Blog, OR, just say Hi, the Email as always, is opntalk@gmail.com.

Coming right up today?

WAY Over Played Race Card. Not Working Anymore
Aspirin: Not Just for Headaches Anymore
DLA For Sunday 103011
IWA for Sunday 103011

So this IS the Day before Halloween, 2011. Do you remember when you were a kid? Today was one of those days that seemed to last forever. There you were, Costume hanging up or in the room. WAITING for Tomorrow to come. You couldn't wait to put it on, go out, AFTER DARK!!! Of course, there WAS all the FREE Candy. Yes, I'm talking about Trick Or Treating.

Today, unfortunately, is a different day and age. You have to be careful out there. Me and Joshua, well, NOW, me and Both my Boys, will be going to the same Neighborhood we have been going to for like 5 years. Josh a Dinosaur, and Eli a Candy Corn. We go to the same place every year because EVERYONE in the neighborhood participates. REAL Candy, decorations, Haunted Houses. ETC. Everyone pretty much knows everyone. There are even a couple of Sheriffs that live there. So it's pretty safe.

However, if you are new to the area, and even if your not, here are some tips for you.

Before you go out, go ON. That's Online. Check the Sex Offender Registry in your area, or the area that you will be Treat or Treating in. If you find some, OBVIOUSLY avoid those residence.

Of COURSE, either YOU, your Spouse, or ADULT Sibling, need to go with them.

Know were you are going. Map it out. Or at lease KNOW the Streets you want to "hit." Do not let your Kids talk you into going down a Dark Street that you may not be Familiar with.

Always avoid dark houses. House that do not have the Outdoor Light on. This is an Indication that either they are out of Candy, or want NOTHING to do with the whole thing. Only go to those Houses that have CLEAR signs that they are Participating.

STAY OUTSIDE!! Make sure your Kids don’t go inside ANYONE'S House. Even if they are invited in. Actually, ESPECIALLY if they are invited in. They can get their Candy at the Door. Unless you KNOW the People, there is no reason whatsoever that your Kids go inside.

Not only are Glow Sticks, Light Sabers, and Flashlights fun, they can save your life. Make sure you have something to alert Vehicles of your presents. They may HONESTLY not see you.

Of course, and finally, an oldie but goodie. CHECK YOUR KID'S CANDY!!! ONLY allow prepackaged store bought Candy. No Homemade Fudge, Cookies, Brownies, ETC. Sorry to those that love to Bake and Share. It is just a different time, and Trust in Strangers is harder and harder to come by.

The most important of all the Rules? HAVE FUN!!!! Just be safe.

Going to fill my cup. Be right back.
Peter

Happy Halloween

From the Emails 103108

Hey folks,

Lets take a bit of a break from Politics. I have and will continue to tell you the truth of what is at stake this election. It is America itself. I will be talking more about that this Weekend. But tonight? Tonight those that could not care less about Obama or McCain will be flooding the streets.

That's right, our children will be dressing up and going out to the streets, in the dark, knocking on strangers doors, begging for candy. In the news here in South Florida, stories of Police stepping up patrols and going door to door themselves, fills the papers and the local news. They are going to and warning Sex Offenders that they need to stay home and stay clear of the Trick or Treaters.

Well, I repeat, our children will be dressing up and going out to the streets, in the dark, knocking on strangers doors, begging for candy. The Sex offenders do not have to do anything. Buy and, or steel a, $2.00 pumpkin and carve it out. Get a bag of candy, and wait for the knock.

So this article was pointed out to me by SG. "This is a great article. Maybe you should post this." I couldn't agree more. The writer is BRILLANT! It was written back on September 30, 2006. I'll have to check this writer out more often. {Smile} Here it is.


Just My Thoughts,
Saturday Sept. 30 2006

Hey folks,

The time is HERE! It’s officially Fall. My second favorite time of year. Spring being number one. I remember in NY, I loved the time when it was the same temperature outside as it was in. I love the first signs of crisper and cleaner air rolling in. The start of the change of color in the trees. The signs that the earth was about to go into a sleep to renew for the next year.

I loved going to Warwick NY to this Farmers Market there. Where you could go out to the apple orchards and pick your apples off the trees. Get REAL apple cider, pies, and of course, those absolutely famous, apple cider donuts.

Then you were thinking, as a kid, Halloween is right around the corner.

Halloween was a COMPLETELY different time back then. Everyone knew everyone and there were no razor blades, drugs, or anything else to taint the treats. Kids were free to go to a "strangers" house and knock on the door.

Today? Today you had better be a little more careful. There are some really bad people out there. If you want to lose some sleep tonight, go onto any of those websites that track sexual predators, child molesters, and deviants. If you have never done this, you WILL be surprised. You most likely have one right around the corner from you. You may even KNOW them.

Couple that with the fact that there really is evil out there. Those that want to harm kids with tainted treats. Those that do not care about the safety of your kids walking down the street, who drive by too close and too fast. It is just not really worth the risk anymore, with a few exceptions.

Here in my new home town of Stuart, there are a few neighborhoods that still get into it. It’s all about the kids. They have some that "patrol" the area while the kids, at specific times, trick or treat. They all know each other and create elaborate haunted houses, and mazes, etc. for the kids. Closed neighborhoods is another way to go, however, you still need to be careful. You do not have to be poor to be a molester.

Now I know there are some, due to religious beliefs, or fear, who denounce the whole practice. I’m not saying do not let them go. Halloween can be fun. Just let the kids know what it’s all about. Make sure that they know to be safe. NEVER let them go alone. Commonsense on yours, and their part, can keep them safe.

OH, and do not forget, I know the stores are vamping up for Christmas already, but right after Halloween, comes my FAVORITE Holiday, Thanksgiving. {Smile} I love Thanksgiving. Family, food, and fun. Keep your kids safe this Halloween, inspect the treats, and make sure that they are around for Thanksgiving.
Peter

Yes folks, have fun tonight and BE SAFE. See you Sunday.

Note: "From The Emails" is a weekly segment in the Friday edition of the OPNtalk Blog. If you care to send in News Articles, Comments, Stories, or anything else you may wish to share, please feel free to send it to opntalk@aim.com As always, you never know what you are going to see here.