So, our block has only eight single-family homes on it, I think, and those are mostly older folks without kids at home. The rest of the buildings (also eight or so) are apartment buildings and condos. We weren't sure if we'd get any trick-or-treaters, and we went over (as usual) to our friends Daniel and Anne's Halloween party and went out with their kids in a very busy t&t neighborhood, a few blocks full of single family homes, almost all of which had their porch lights on and someone standing at the door with a big bucket of candy.

But just before we went, and again right after we came back home, we got a bunch of kids coming by our house for candy. About twenty total, in the space of half an hour. Which makes me feel like maybe, as much as I like my friends and enjoy their annual party, I may spend more of next year handing out candy here.

Because here's the other thing -- almost all the kids who came to my door were black; one was Hispanic. And, given the economic breakdown of home ownership in Oak Park, I'm guessing they mostly live in the apartment buildings nearby, and they don't have a lot of options for friendly places to trick or treat. I'd like our house to be one of the places they can safely go, with a goofy brown-skinned woman in a costume hanging out on the porch, and a host of silly Halloween decorations and cheerful lights.

Am I being weird or overly-class-conscious here? Does this make sense to anyone else?