Thursday, October 30, 2008

Gates Night

WatchPuss is on the job.


Tonight is "Gates Night." It's a local tradition in which the trick portion of trick or treating is the focus.
It got its name in the years gone by when farm gates were opened so the livestock could get out.
On one such night in the early 1990s car windshields were egged. I was lucky enough to benefit from these antics. It snowed afterward so I didn't know it until I got in my car. It was very difficult to clean.
We've been lucky. Most years we've been left alone.
Anything can happen, of course, but with the neighbor's kitty visiting at random times and taking such a good security perch I think we'll be fine.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Id never heard of GATES NIGHT.

when I was younger it was called DEVILS NIGHT.

now Im wondering if anyone still calls it that!

the Bag Lady said...

Here's hoping our gates stay closed around here - I'm not in the mood to round up cows!! (But I will be extra-vigilant, just in case!)

Leah J. Utas said...

MizFit, you're right about Devil's Night. Gates Night is a local wrinkle.

DfBag Lady, I hope so, too. And I sure hope your cows don't get any funny ideas to play tricks on you.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Never liked the whole "trick" aspect of the holiday, even when I was a kid. Hope the kitty protects you!

Leah J. Utas said...

Totally agree, Crabby. Never found them fun at all.
And I feel so much safer with Security Puss nearby.

Penny said...

It's called Mischief Night round here I think.

The kitty will be your guardian!

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, TA. I didn't know about Mischief Night.
Kitty will be the best guardian ever.

Missicat said...

Hmmm...never heard of Gate Night either! Let me know if Security Cat needs backup - will send Bad Cat and Bad Kitten!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks for the offer, Missicat. I may take you up on it.

Frank Baron said...

Egging and whatnot always occurred here on Halloween. Our family's furniture store had eight, 6'X8' plate glass windows that eggers and soapers could not resist.

I hated Halloween back then.

Leah J. Utas said...

Ooohh, Frank, that would be soooo tempting.
Were you stuck cleaning up the fun afterward?

Reb said...

I am sure Security Puss will do a wonderful job of protecting you.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you for your confidence in our guardian, Reb.

Thomma Lyn said...

Oh, your neighbor's kitty is so gorgeous! I want to give her a cuddle. :)

"Gates Night" -- interesting! I hope you aren't the recipient of any unpleasant tricks.

Leah J. Utas said...

Oh TL you're absolutely right about the kitty.
And thanks, I'm hoping we are ignored.